Dallas/Fort Worth Region Continues To Lead The Nation In Employment Growth
Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Dallas second, in both the number of jobs added and the rate of job growth, among the 12 largest metropolitan areas in the country, as reported in an Aug. 27, 2014 news release by the BLS, "From July 2013 to July 2014, local non-farm employment rose 3.9 percent, well above the national increase of 1.9 percent."
Growth in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex is impressive. BLS points to the "Dallas-Plano-Irving Metropolitan Division, which accounted for 71 percent of the area workforce, provided 76 percent of area growth with the addition of 92,300 jobs from July a year ago, an increase of 4.3 percent. The Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Division, which accounted for the remaining 29 percent of the area workforce, added 28,500 jobs during the 12-month period, a 3.1-percent increase."
With growth comes the need for more police. Charles Vaughn, a Dallas police officer in the Office of Community Affairs and Employee Communications, which engages in proactive community outreach, works to build strong relationships with the community. He saw the opportunities within to improve himself and upon graduation from Mississippi Valley State University, passed the police entrance exam and moved to Dallas.
"It is vital to an officer to continue learning simply because everything changes; nothing stays the same. People change, situations change, and your response to situations change. When you stop learning, you stop growing," said Vaughn, who after seven years, sees the importance of pursuing an advanced degree.
It isn't just Dallas and Fort Worth that are experiencing growth and need for additional officers. Suburban cities like Arlington and Plano are also growing, and education unlocks the key to employment opportunities in many fields, such as criminal justice and law enforcement.
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com
