MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Police Department celebrated the hiring of six new probationary police officers Thursday morning.
Mansfield Police Chief Keith Porch said it was the first time the department had hired six new officers at one time for close to 30 years.
“It’s a very historical moment for us to be able to hire six officers. To be able to swear them in today is a really big deal for us,” he said. “For these ladies and gentlemen standing up here, it’s hard work for the background checks and processes completed by Lt. (Michael) Napier.”
Kody Leitz, Kaylie E. Hall, Carson Frase, Trey A. Hect, Joshua G. Eckert and Clay D. Blair will be assigned to the Special Operations Bureau Professional Standards and will serve as probationary police officers for a 12-month period, Porch said.
Eckert, who grew up in Galion, said he’s always wanted to be a police officer and was excited to join the Mansfield Police Department.
“It’s something I’ve wanted since I was a kid – riding bikes around and playing cops and robbers. I have family that are police officers,” Eckert said. “I think this will be a great challenge. I think it’s a very busy town with lots of things going on and I look forward to the challenge.”
Newly sworn-in officer Blair, of Wooster, said he wanted to become an officer to better help people.
“I just want to give back and help the community,” he said. “I want to help change people’s lives. I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of people and being out in the community.”
Porch said with the new hires, his roster is now at the budgeted strength of 83 officers.
“That’s excellent for us,” the chief said. “But I have two, possibly three officers ready to retire next year, which will put us back to where we just were.”
This class of new hires was a step forward for the Mansfield Police Department in terms of diversity – Hall, a woman and Blair, a black man, were important hires for the department, the chief said.
“I’ve always said our department should be reflective of the community. I have intentionally put in minority recruitment and we need to do a better job,” Porch said. “Obviously, with officer Blair stepping on, it’s a step in the right direction.”
