29 graduates sworn in as Montgomery Co. police officers: Increase in recruits

A batch of new graduate police recruits has been sworn into their new jobs. It will happen to be serving five different law enforcement agencies in Montgomery County, Maryland. The 29 members of the 75th session of the Montgomery County Police Training Academy will work in the Montgomery County, Takoma Park, Gaithersburg, and Rockville City police departments with that of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. There are 22 men and seven women in the crew. Thus, there is increased pressure to fight the growing crime in the state. The Montgomery County police Chief Marcus Jones told the new academy graduates, “We will expect a lot from you in the coming years and days.” After the graduation ceremony, Takoma Park police Chief Antonio DeVaul said, “I tell you, the challenges that these officers face are unlike any that we faced thirty years ago when we came into law enforcement.” The fresh recruits recited their honor code, saying, “I must serve honestly, faithfully, and if need be, lay down my life as others have done before me rather than swerve from the path of duty.”

Officers’ statements recorded

Officer Jonathan Ober, who won the award for physical training and had worked as a classroom teacher earlier, addressed the graduating class by saying, “I figured that I could just take it to the next level and help people in need.” He said that while his mother was terrified, his father was ecstatic,c and his girlfriend and sisters were good about his decision to go into law enforcement. Officer Melvin Wright grew up in Prince George’s County and started a fire service career at just 20 years. He said he just had to convince him about his decision for his family! He noted that he had seen two of his cousins as police officers, and thus, “My dad certainly wasn’t happy. I saw where trust in police was dwindling. I saw where different police departments were hurting people, and I just figured, why not try to help out?” Wright had won the Luke T. Hoffman award for academic excellence at the academy. It was named in honor of one of the county’s fallen officers.
Officer Linda Pallominy won the award for her extraordinary achievement in patrol procedures. When questioned about her family’s reaction to her decision, she said, “A little bit of surprise … I am one of the older females in the class; I’m 29.” When her mother asked about her plans for kids, she said, “That’s on hold for a little bit, and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,” but regarding her career choice, she said, “I’m happy I picked this.” Officer Thomas Kirchmeye had received the award for driver training. He said he had a keen interest in law enforcement, which solidified in college. Kirchmeyer added that his choice did make his parents feel “nervous, very nervous because they don’t know what to expect.”Of course, such positive reactions among the officers will take them a long way in their careers!
Resources:
https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2023/03/29-graduates-sworn-in-as-montgomery-co-police-officers-amid-push-to-increase-recruits/