The Seattle Department of Transportation wants to let neighbors know they are NOT conducting any surveys or doing any robocalls.

Mary Beth Turner, a spokeswoman with SDOT, says a handful of concerned citizens have contacted them recently regarding suspicious calls from people claiming to be with the transportation department.

According to those who have received these calls, the person on the other end is not very nice, claims they're working on Seattle streets and need to know the homeowners address and neighborhood.

SDOT warns if you receive one of these calls and are concerned you can call (206) 684-ROAD (7623) and report it.

Mayor Mike McGinn unveiled 20 initiatives that will be implemented over the next 20 months at the Seattle Police Department in response to a damning report from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The reforms "go far beyond a response to the Department of Justice report," McGinn said.

"These reforms will increase the safety of our communities while improving the effectiveness of the police department in preventing and controlling crime. The changes we are proposing are intending to be lasting and sustainable."

McGinn said the initiatives were created after discussions with department officials, city leaders and community leaders following a 10-month investigation by the U.S. Justice Department.

That investigation found the Seattle Police Department "engages in a pattern of unnecessary and excessive force" in "violation of the Fourth Amendment," federal officials said.

According to the Justice Department report, Seattle police use force in an "unconstitutional manner nearly 20 percent of the time" and "too quickly resort to the use of impact weapons, such as batons and flashlights."

The Seattle Police Department wants to hire 40 new entry-level officers this year.

For those looking to get a jump on the process, the department is hosting a series of "pre-test" workshops for prospective officers in the run up to June's entry-level exam.

Roughly 25 candidates showed up to a Wednesday workshop to see if they have what it takes to become a Seattle cop.

"We've lost about 20 officers the last couple of years," said officer Andre Sinn. "So now we need to fill those vacated positions."

Before they're hired, the hopefuls would first have pass several comprehensive tests, according to Sinn.

"Written, video, physical agility, oral board interview, polygraph, psychological evaluation and a medical exam," Sinn said.

Some of the candidates at Wednesday's workshop said they're considering a career change, while others said police work is their calling.

"Police officers kind of have a bad rap and I want to kind of put a persona out there that cops aren't just there to knock heads and give tickets, that we're actually there to protect and serve the people," said Clint Neher.