CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The force for the Charleston Police Department has grown by five as of Thursday.
Five young men were sworn-in as officers by Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin at City Hall.
The newly hired officers include Steven J. Hayes, 20, Clendenin; Wyatt L. McCabe, 22, Milton; Jared M. Payne, 26, Winfield; Jordan L. Toler, 23, Sumerco and Justin N. Watts, 22, Charleston.
Payne said after the ceremony that this is something he has always wanted to do.
“I’ve always wanted to help people and this seems like a good job to do it at. I am ready to help out the city in any way that I can,” he said.
“You wake up and it’s your life helping people. It means a lot to me personally.”
Payne is the son of Lt. Jerry Payne, a West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Officer.
Lt. Payne was in attendance on Thursday and said he was proud of his son.
“I feel confident in his ability and I am sure he will do a fine job,” he said.
As for advice for his son?
“Just treat people good is what I have always told him. Treat them like you want to be treated.”
The five officers will begin training at the West Virginia State Police Academy on Monday.
Following graduation from the academy, officers will participate in a two week Department orientation and then start the CPD 20-week Field Training Program.
CPD Chief Opie Smith said if all five complete the necessary training, the total number of officers in the force would be 166.