TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A big day at the Terre Haute Police Department as they welcomed its newest group of officers.
After passing a physical agility test, written exam, and an extensive background check, eight new officers have been sworn in to the Terre Haute Police Department.
One officer, Michael Carden, has special ties to the department. His father, Matt, has been serving Terre Haute for nearly three decades.
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to serve my community”, Carden said. “My father has been a role model for me since I was young. He’s going on 30 years and watching him step out that door, slide on those boots, and do his best for the community has just really been an inspiration for me.”
Michael said all he has ever wanted to do is serve his hometown.
“I grew up and wanted to better my community in a sense”, Carden said. “Give something back to the community that has helped raise me and brought me to this point and where I stand today.”
Lieutenant Justin Sears said the new officers will have to go through extensive training before they’re patrolling Terre Haute on their own.
“The essential first phase, before they can even be released on their own in the community, is almost a year”, Sears said. “They’re going to be in a training year. That’s what, I think, sets us apart from a lot of departments is our professionalism in our training. We provide a lot before they’re even released on their own to make decisions or help people in our city.”
Although the day was centered around the new officers and their families, the entire department is excited for what’s to come.
“It rejuvenates us as policeman too because they’re brand new, we’re getting ready to train them”, Sears said. “To see their energy come in, and as we follow them through their training process before they’re released on their own, it’s something that we’re very passionate about and very proud of.”
The newly sworn-in officers will begin pre-basic training for a month in Terre Haute before going to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for 16 weeks.
