CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Charleston Police Department is almost fully staffed after making three new hires Friday.
Three officers were sworn in by Mayor Danny Jones and Police Chief Brent Webster during a ceremony held at City Hall.
As of Friday, the department has 160 officers with three vacancies left.
“We have one officer retiring at the end of the day after a 26-year career. We have another officer who is leaving for a federal opportunity, so hiring these three with those two leaving that still leaves us with three vacancies,” said Webster. “We’ll hope to fill those in the January class.”
Elijah Onwuka, 20, of Spencer, Brandon Rinehart, 26, of Hurricane and Richard Clawson, 22, of Charleston will start their training Monday at the West Virginia State Police Academy.
Brandon is the son of South Charleston Police Chief Brad Rinehart. He told 58-WCHS his son will make a great officer because he comes from a good family.
“The big thing he’s got going for him — he’s got my mother and his grandmother’s heart. He wants to help people. He really likes to help people. I think that’s going to be a big thing in now-a-day’s society as a policeman,” said Rinehart, following the ceremony.
Webster said they enjoy watching legacies come through the police department, but treat them just like any other new officer.
“They really don’t get a break because the State Police trains them. They get hired; they got to go through the civil service process. But they have to earn it,” he said. “Legacy hires are traditionally a very good thing for us.”
When hiring a new officer, Webster said they look for someone who’s willing to learn and help others.
“The key with police officers are two things — are they ethical? And are they teachable? They don’t have to have a legal or police background as long as they have the aptitude to learn, we can teach them how to shoot and we can teach them how to deal with people.”
Clawson, one of the new officers, said more than anything, he is looking forward to serving the city he grew up in.
“It’s very exciting. It’s an honor. I’ve lived in Charleston my whole life and it’s an honor to be able to serve the people of Charleston,” Clawson said.
The three men will complete a 16-week paramilitary training at the State Police Academy before spending 18 weeks in the Orientation and Field Training Program.