The Vicksburg Police Department is looking for area residents interested in serving the city as police officers.

“We are hoping to get between eight to 10 people out of this group,” Police Chief Milton Moore said. “We hope to have them ready to attend the May class at the (Mississippi Law Enforcement Training) academy in Pearl.”

Starting pay is $14.15 an hour.

He said the deadline for applying for entry level officer is Jan. 19, and applications can be picked up at the city’s Human Resource office in the City Hall Annex, 1415 Walnut St., Suite 100.

The written test will be given Jan. 22, and the agility test will be Jan. 20. Besides the written and agility tests, applicants must pass a psychiatric evaluation, drug test and background check.

Moore said the new group of recruits will boost the number of officers in the department, which is currently 60. The department is budgeted for 81officers.

Qualifications to apply for the position require a person to be 21 years old, be a U.S. citizen, be a high school graduate or have their GED, and have a valid driver’s license. If an applicant served in the military, they must have an honorable discharge.