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The City of Geary swore in five new police officers March 1. Shown are (L-R) Jonathon DeJesus, school resource officer, Dalton Errigo, reserve patrol officer, Adam Hopper, patrol officer, John Smith, patrol officer and Levi Johnston, patrol officer. The additions bring the department up to a fully staffed level for the first time in recent memory.
The City of Geary held a swearing-in ceremony March 1 for incoming police officers.
“It’s always a good day when we hire police officers,” said Mayor Waylan Upchego.
Jonathon DeJesus was sworn in as the school resource officer for Geary schools. He had previously been an officer in Watonga and is currently the deputy chief in Geary. Chief Alicia Ford told the assembled officers and city officials that being an officer wasn’t a job, but a calling.
“We’re here to serve and protect those who can’t protect themselves. We stand against evil and want to put the past behind us and move forward, building a relationship with the school and the community.”
Also sworn in were Dalton Errigo, a reserve patrol officer, Adam Hopper, a patrol officer, John Smith, a patrol officer and Levi Johnston, also a patrol officer.
The new additional officers bring the police force up to fully staffed.
Ford said the department had been trying to develop a resource officer program for many years to no avail. Last year, before Ford’s appointment as chief, a weapon was unintentionally discharged in a vehicle waiting to pick up a student, and the need for a resource officer was brought to the forefront.