The City of Charleston has three new police officers. Mayor Danny Jones swore in the recruits Friday morning at city hall.
They start at the academy on Monday. It will be four months of rigorous training. Eric Roberts, of Pinch, says he’s ready to go.
“It’s challenging but I already know what to expect,” Roberts said.
That’s because, after he graduated from high school, he joined the U.S. Army. When he left the military, he still felt the need to protect and serve. But there weren’t too many opportunities in law enforcement. He says he’s waited to get this chance.
“I’ve been working construction jobs and it’s always in and out. This will be more of a steady income,” according to Roberts. “Mostly I’d like to serve my community the best I can.”
He believes that he can have an impact.
“I see a lot of bad things happening. I hope I can make difference.”
Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster says, with the new hires on the force, they are still shy of a full staff.
“We currently still have three openings that we’re trying to fill. We have 160 officers now and we’re authorized for three more,” the chief said.
Webster hopes to fill those positions as soon as possible. He says the new recruits will be a huge help once they’ve made it through the academy and are able to hit the streets this summer.
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Comments
WVIRGINIAN FOR LIFE
Well hopefully these new officers will be trained in the application of "least amount of lethal force necessary". In Martinsburg last week, 5 City Police Officers officers gunned down a citizen who displayed a pen knife attacking two officers while they wrestled him on the ground. He was not a an Ultimate Fighter Champion either. The pen knife did not penetrate the vest of the wrestling officer and the officer did not require any medical attention. However, the five officers, thats right 5 officers, pulled their weapons and shot the Virginia man 15 times. We can only hope the Dept of Justice and Courts will lock these gun slinging officers up for life.
March 22, 2013 at 10:20 pm | Report comment
Martinsburg Resident
Isn't it nice when some idiot convicts police officers of wrong doing without a completed investigation. WVIRGINIAN FOR LIFE would be happy to celebrate the death of a police officer no doubt... walk a mile in a police officer's shoes before you judge split second decisions you fool. Just another police hater sitting in mommy's basement without anything productive to do. Martinsburg PD has some of the best officers in the state. I support our police not criminals!
March 23, 2013 at 9:54 pm | Report comment