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New officers, same old crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charleston Mayor Danny Jones swore in three new recruits and three experienced officers onto the Charleston Police force Thursday, at city hall.

A swearing in ceremony was held Thursday at Charleston City Hall.

The three recruits head off to the academy on Monday. Two more come from other law enforcement agencies and already have their academy training. One, of the group, is a former Charleston Police officer who took some time off and decided to come back to the force.

That brings the total number of officers up to 160, that’s just three shy, of filling all the department’s empty slots.

Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster took his oath of office back in 1994. With nearly 20 years on the job, he said a lot of things have changed.

“There’s a whole lot more technology. Almost everything is done with a computer. The vehicles have changed a little bit. There’s a lot more social media,” explained Webster, who cited better bullet proof vests, as well.

He said the types, of crimes, they’re fighting have changed too.

“Drugs drive everything. That’s why we have a lot of violent crime. It’s drug related. Some drugs aren’t as prevalent as they were back [in 1994]. Others have come a long way,” said Webster. “Like methamphetamines, they bring in a whole other threat, with fires and hazardous materials.”

Webster adds cyber crimes to the list of new issues. But in the end, the chief said the basics, of police work, aren’t that much different from what he experienced as a rookie cop and what the new officers will deal with, on the streets.

“The idea of patrolling a neighborhood hasn’t changed any. We still want our officers to get out and talk to citizens,” according to Webster. “That’s the only way you’re going to learn about what’s going on, in the neighborhoods.”

And he said the people perpetrating the crimes are the same as well.

“Crime is still crime. At the end of the day, you have people willing to break the law,” said Webster.

The reinstated officer will hit the streets by herself after a short orientation period. The two officers from other departments will spend 16-weeks in the field training program, working with an experienced officer. The new recruits will have to make it through the academy and then do their field training.





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