CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Division of Police is holding an expedited hiring event this weekend and Lateshia Person was waiting to take her physical assessment test.

“I’m determined to pass. I have to pass. I’m going to pass,” said Person.

What You Need To Know

  • The Cleveland police department is holding a weekend-long expedited hiring event

  • Nearly 300 applicants have pre-registered 

  • A process that normally takes several months can be done in as little as four hours

She was all business on Friday morning.

The city of Cleveland has been struggling to hire enough police officers to protect its streets. They’ve increased pay, changed some requirements and created expedited hiring events, allowing recruits to spend days instead of months completing multiple steps in the hiring process.

The city said the changes have been working. They produced 134 recruits in 2024, the most in five years.

“I feel like this is where I’m destined to be,” Person said. “It’s something that my son can be proud of me about. He can look up to me.”

Person is a Cleveland native and said she’s wanted to be an officer she since was 10 years old.

These expedited hiring events are a collaboration between the city and the police department to increase ranks. Potential recruits, like Person, first go though a physical agility assessment, then complete a preliminary background check and receive a pre-conditional letter of employment for the police academy.

“A process that used to span several months we’re completing in a single day,” said Commander Mark Maguth, Cleveland Division of Police. “If you commit four hours of your day, you’re going to shave off several months of what used to be processing time.”

Person currently works security for Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She said her goal is, “protecting my city, protecting my family, getting justice for the people that need it.”

She used to run track for Cuyahoga Community College, but she recently took on some additional training.

“I’ve been going to the conditioning camp every week Tuesdays and Saturdays, so I’m ready,” she said.

Recruits must be between 21 and 54 years old on the first day of the academy and can’t have any felonies. Potential recruits that get accepted could start the academy as soon as April.