Los Angeles Daily News, CA
June 6 2005

Police seeking Armenian recruits

By Naush Boghossian, Staff Writer

GLENDALE — The city has the largest Armenian population outside of
Armenia itself, but Glendale’s police are struggling to add Armenians
to their ranks to better reflect the community’s makeup.
The search recently led officials to Jackpot, Nev., where not only
did they find and hire an Armenian records clerk, but they’re also
considering hiring her husband as a mechanic helper at the
department’s garage. And the couple’s two children are now cadets.

“We have a heightened sensitivity in not only hiring but recruiting
potential Armenian employees, so when a golden opportunity like this
presented itself, we jumped all over it,” said Lt. Bruce Fox of the
department’s professional standards bureau.

“To get the department to be representative of the community is a
pretty large task, but we’re going to keep heading toward that goal.”

About 35 percent of Glendale’s population of 200,000 is estimated to
be of Armenian descent. But just 5 percent — or 13 — of the
department’s 257 sworn officers are Armenian.

Officials — also struggling with hiring amid a general nationwide
shortage of qualified officers — said the department has scant
applications from Armenians, stemming mainly from a negative cultural
perception of the profession: It’s dangerous and it doesn’t pay well.

In an effort to dispel such perceptions, the Police Department has
begun actively reaching out to the Armenian community and local youth
organizations.

Starting June 26, officers will set up recruitment booths once a
month at Sidewalk Cafe on Glenoaks Boulevard, with officers and
information to engage youths and teach them about law enforcement
careers.

“I just want to convey to the youth that this is a respectable career
that a family can be proud of — that a career in law enforcement
means good pay, a three-day workweek and good benefits,” said Sgt.
Scott Johnstone, supervisor in charge of recruitments and
backgrounds. “We have to break the barrier right now where police and
fire careers are last on the list of professions for these kids. It’s
a fantastic career and something to be proud of.”

Glendale police will emphasize financial security, including benefits
and retirement plans. The Glendale Police Department offers a
starting salary between $4,881 and $6,376 a month.

Neighboring Burbank — which has three Armenian officers out of 159
sworn personnel — said its focus is overall hiring for its leanly
staffed department.

An estimated 8 percent of Burbank’s 100,000 population is of Armenian
descent.

“At this point, we’re low on officers and we’re looking for the best
candidates,” said Officer Vee Jones of the Burbank Police Department.
“Obviously, we do want the department to reflect the community, and
we make every effort to do that, but now we’re just targeting
qualified candidates.”

Detective Petros Kmbikyan, 28, who was born in Armenia and moved to
the United States when he was 13, said his parents had reservations
about his career choice, but they eventually understood.

“It’s going to be a hard process to recruit Armenians, but also a
rewarding one at the end if they find qualified applicants,” Kmbikyan
said. “There are a lot of Armenians in Glendale so it makes it easier
to interact with them and there’s an understanding of the community
and the culture.”

Officer David Lerian, 39, has been with the Glendale Police
Department for nearly seven years and frequently is called upon by
other officers to translate.

“They’re always needing translators and there aren’t always Armenian
officers available, so it would benefit the department,” he said.

And members of the Armenian community are convinced that changes are
on the horizon.

“The first 10 will be very difficult but after that you’ll get this
huge rush because the community will feel comfortable with the idea,”
said Michael Issakhanian, owner of Sidewalk Cafe. “It’s just a matter
of time that they see law enforcement as an acceptable career.”