The recruit is standing on the stage, smiling at her grandmother and mother who are sitting in the audience. The chief of police announces the new graduating class. Cheers erupt all around them.

“What’s the happiest you’ve been in your life? For me, my answer for that would have been graduating the academy and starting my career,” said Patrol Officer Maritza Duarte from the Scottsdale Police Department.

Duarte shared her rewarding experience of going through the recruitment process to become an officer.

Scottsdale Police Department is continuously hiring new recruits and looking for the next best individuals to serve the community.

The department holds testing six times each year, which gives several opportunities to potential candidates.

The recruitment process consists of an online application, a written and physical test, background examinations and a handful of other evaluations including a polygraph test.

These tests are designed to see how well a potential candidate would succeed in the job. The recruitment process is normally completed all the way through regardless of minimal implications because those can be discussed later, officials say.

There are certain standards established by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST). All departments go by these standards but Scottsdale itself has its own requirements as well.

“I think one thing that sets us apart is that they have their standards and that’s kind of the bare minimum so other agencies around the state may just go by that. But we have higher standards,” Police Personnel Manager Melanie Barrett said.

The Scottsdale Police Department prides itself on having elite individuals as a part of their program Barrett said.

“Part of that is the tradition and the reputation Scottsdale has as we really are looking for the best people,” Public Information Officer Aaron Bolin said.

What considers a person to be the best contender for the job?

Barrett said the most important characteristic they look for in a candidate, besides bravery and drive, is integrity.

“Tell us everything and let us decide what will disqualify you,” Barrett said.

People tend to embellish the truth or not tell the whole truth. This is an AZPOST violation and can, in turn, disqualify an individual from ever becoming an officer in the state of Arizona.

This is where the polygraph test comes in. It is meant to reinforce the points that were already disclosed during the background interview.

“We’re not looking for the best fit for our department. We’re looking for people to add. People who are innovative thinkers and progressive thinkers,” Barrett said.

As far as the mental and physical aspects of the recruitment process, Patrol Officer Todd Morrow said while it is taxing in both categories, it had a large mental impact on him.

Morrow mentioned the actual psychological exam that includes over 1,600 questions and can take up to eight hours to complete. It is designed to ensure an individual’s honesty by asking the same types of questions in various wording.

“You start to see a pattern, a trend. Your mind starts to get frazzled,” Morrow said.

He said physically, you just have to push through. The workouts and the training start when you fill out the online application and do not end until you retire.

Duarte said she feels the same. The Scottsdale Police Department does a great job at pushing and motivating its officers through the recruitment process.

“It was very tiring both mentally and physically, but well worth it at the end,” Duarte said.

For more information on the recruitment process, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov.

Editor’s Note: M J X is a student reporter at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.