YOUNGSTOWN - The police department is gearing up for the second phase of its entry-level Civil Service exam.
Last week, the Civil Service Commission said 141 candidates passed the written portion of the entry-level test that was given Nov. 17.
The next step for those candidates is a physical fitness test which will be administered Jan. 12, said Jonathan Huff, director of the commission. Those who pass that test as well will be added to the department's eligibility list.
The physical fitness portion will be administered by the Youngstown branch of the YMCA, Huff said. He said he does not know yet what types of tests the candidates take.
The department is looking to add five to 10 new officers next year to make up for a wave of expected retirements.
Since Chief Rod Foley took over in September 2011, the department has added 17 officers to the Patrol Division.
The department put on a public relations blitz to try to increase the number of applicants, including the number of city residents, minorities, women and veterans.
Huff said a breakdown of the candidates was not yet available last week.
Foley said he wishes more people had taken and passed the written portion of the test so there would be more candidates to choose from.
He said he wants to see the top 50 candidates after the physical test is completed.
''We hope we have a diversified pool to pick from,'' Foley said.
Foley said he wants to keep the department at about 152 officers, which is about where they are at right now, pending anticipated early retirements next year.