Twelve new Allentown police officers were sworn-in this morning during a ceremony in City Council chambers.
Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Police Chief Keith Morris presided as officers Anthony Cruz, Zachary Ball, Walter Oquendo, Paul McAdams, Bejtullah Mehmeti, Ariel Vidal, Anthony Lytle, Jamil Newsome, Michael Hammer, Eric Sbat, Zachariah Pritchard and Robbie Gruber took the oath of office. Cruz, Sbat and Pritchard, who are already Act 120 certified, also received their department badges.
Pawlowski said, “A little more than 10 years ago, after a wave of retirements, the Allentown police department was down to about 160 officers. We have been working ever since to rebuild our ranks and increase our budgeted compliment to 222 officers. I am very proud to report that with these officers standing before you, we have reached 219 members of this department.”
Pawlowski told the recruits that the new reality is that they come on board at a time of unprecedented public scrutiny. “I don’t have to tell you that you are being closely watched by the people you come in contact with and by people you may not even see. Remember what you have been taught. Use the training you have been given and heed the advice of your superiors. Most of you are probably following a dream. You have thought about being a police officer for years. The events of the past week have proven that this is a dangerous job. The men and women who are good at this job also find it very rewarding. I hope you find it so.”
“It is always an exciting day when we announce that we are hiring additional officers,” said Chief Morris. “I wish these 12 new officers luck on this journey, and ask that they conduct themselves with integrity and honesty, uphold the oath to which they have sworn, and to not betray the badge which they will wear.”
Officer Cruz is a 2014 graduate of the Lackawanna County Police Academy. He holds an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Northampton Community College. Officer Cruz is assigned to the 3rd Platoon.
Officer Ball holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Social Services and Theology from the University of Valley Forge, formerly Valley Forge Christian College. He is a U.S. Army veteran. Officer Ball is attending the Allentown Police Academy and is assigned to the 3rd Platoon.
Officer Oquendo attended Lehigh Carbon Community College and Kutztown University. He is attending the Allentown Police Academy to become Act 120 Certified. Officer Oquendo is assigned to the 2nd Platoon.
Officer McAdams earned an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Lehigh Carbon Community College. He is currently enrolled in the Allentown Police Academy to become Act 120 Certified. Officer McAdams is assigned to the 1st Platoon.
Officer Mehmeti attended Penn State University and Lehigh Carbon Community College. He is attending the Allentown Police Academy. Officer Mehmeti is assigned to the 4th Platoon.
Officer Vidal is a graduate of Dieruff High School and holds an Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Lehigh Carbon Community College. He is attending the Allentown Police Academy. Officer Vidal is assigned to the 4th Platoon.
Officer Lytle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Centenary College. He is currently attending the Allentown Police Academy. Officer Lytle is assigned to the 1st Platoon.
Officer Newsome achieved a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rider University. He is attending the Allentown Police Academy. Officer Newsome is assigned to the 2nd Platoon.
Officer Hammer holds a Bachelor of Science, Crime, Law and Justice from Penn State University. He is attending the Allentown Police Academy. Officer Hammer is assigned to the 4th Platoon.
Officer Sbat graduated from the Allentown Police Academy in 2014. He holds an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Northampton Community College. Officer Sbat is assigned to the 3rd Platoon.
Officer Pritchard is a 2014 graduate of the Allentown Police Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Kutztown University. Officer Pritchard is assigned to the 2nd Platoon.
Officer Gruber holds an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Lehigh Carbon Community College. He is part of the current class at the Allentown Police Academy. Officer Gruber is assigned to the 2nd Platoon.
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