The DeKalb Police Department is hoping to receive three new officers to help enforce and maintain safety in DeKalb.

The request for more officers comes as a result of the expansion of the city, DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen said.

“Pleasant Street and Greek Row are growing, so there will need to be more enforcement there,” Feithen said. “There is just more activity in more areas. Plus, the calls and reports are getting more complicated and serious.”

However, the officers may not be hired until later in the year.

“We are hoping to get three other officers,” Feithen said. “But hiring police officers takes a long time.”

The request for three additional officers came last year, and DeKalb police expected them to be hired in January or February. However, because last year’s budget did not account for three more officers, the money is not available and the testing process is taking longer.

The DPD recently has hired one of the three officers. On Mar. 18, Thomas Stegall, a security guard at Rock Valley College, was hired as a replacement for Detective Jim Rhoades, who recently retired.

“He’s doing really well,” Sgt. Jim McDougall said. “New officers are with a field training officer for usually 12 to 15 weeks getting to know the city and the paperwork.”

Stegall is the first of the new officers, but probably will be the only new hire for awhile.

“It took us three months to hire one guy,” Feithen said. “The other officers won’t happen until next budget year or very close to it.”

The reason it takes so long for an officer to be hired is the amount of tests the applicant must go through. They include a polygraph, medical and psychological tests and a background check.

After the tests have been completed, eligibility is established and a list is made of those who are competent. The list is referred to for two years if officers are needed, Feithen said.

In addition to asking for three more officers, the department is looking for three replacement officers.

The search for those three will take as long as the search for three additional officers, Feithen said.

The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners also is involved with the search. However, no one from the board was available for comment.

The DPD is accepting applications from anyone who is interested in becoming an officer.

If anyone is interested, applications are available at the Human Resource office at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St., or online at www.cityofdekalb.com.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 5.