UAPD is looking for a few good men, and even more good women, today when they hold their recruitment drive on the UA mall.

Representatives from the department will be answering questions, showing off their vehicles and hopefully picking up a few applicants.

"We offer an opportunity to give back to the community while still making a living in an enjoyable environment," said Sgt. Eugene Mejia, UAPD spokesperson.

Mejia said the drive is aimed at educating future graduates about a potential career with the department, one that is sometimes considered insignificant by students.

These perceptions could not be further from the truth, he said.

"Some people may not consider us a real police department," he said. "Of course those comments usually come from people that we have arrested."

One area that UAPD is focused on is increasing the number of female officers on the force. With only one female officer, Mejia said UAPD has fallen behind when compared to other departments.

Women made up 13 percent of all police officers nationally in 2000, according to the National Center for Women and Policing.

While it is not a pressing issue, Mejia said it is something that the department is working to change.

"We have identified a need to attract more female officers to the department," he said. "As much as possible the university police department would like to be closely reflecting the community that we operate in."

UAPD is looking to find students who are nearing 21 years of age, the minimum age for officers. In order to be hired as an officer, the student must also be out of school.

There are a number of other positions available, some for UA students. UAPD is looking to hire anyone who is 18 or older and is interested in being a dispatcher, police aide or community service officer.

Mejia said the positions often appeal to students looking for something new.

"These are positions that are the type of jobs that are non-field police-related, but support the police officers in their daily activities," he said. "It relieves (the officers) of other responsibilities that they may have to take."

Mejia said police aides are usually used for building security and a source for reporting crimes and suspicious activity to the department. The community service officers handle similar responsibilities, but also have a more security-based role.

Students who are still in school can work part-time for UAPD. Mejia said there have been a number of students who have gone to class during the day and worked with the department at night.

This experience can be beneficial to students regardless of their opinions about law enforcement.

"We are encouraging students at the university to apply and become exposed to the law enforcement field and to see if they would like to get into it once they graduate," he said.

UAPD representatives will be on the UA Mall at the intersection of North Cherry Avenue and East University Boulevard between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.