Two new police officers hired
Staff writer
Peabody now has a police force of two full-time police officers and a part-time police officer.
The Peabody City Council Monday voted hiring one full-time and one part-time officer. With Police Chief Matthew Neal, there are now three officers on the force.
By comparison Marion has three full-time officers and is seeking two more. Hillsboro has five full-time officers.
Neal initially wanted to hire two part-time officers and a code enforcement officer, but he changed his mind.
One of the candidates for a part-time police officer position did not pass a background check. He said it would serve the community and his department better to have a full-time officer instead of a code enforcement officer.
The city will need to decide what to do with its current code enforcement officer.
“The most important thing is to get a police officer,” Neal said.
The full-time officer is Jessica Valley, and the part-time officer is Charles Walker. Walker will work 10 to 16 hours a week for weekends and nights.
Neal said he and Valley could handle code enforcement.
Council member Linda Martinez wanted to know whether the council could meet the two officers before voting whether to accept the recommendations.
Mayor Catherine Weems said she did not want to be involved in the hiring process when a department head, like Neal, makes a recommendation.
Weems added that the council would have to do something with its current code enforcement officer.
Council member Tom Spencer pointed out that any code violations the current officer would have to testify in court, regardless whether that person still works for the town if any enforcement actions were challenged.
Neal said the two officers the council approved Monday were ready to start work, as all paperwork, background checks and certifications were completed.