The Globe Police Department has hired new officers, two of whom were sworn in during the Jan. 8 City Council meeting.

During the evening’s presentation, Chief of Police Dale Walters said that one of his goals coming to Globe was to build up the department’s membership “with dedicated, competent officers focused on this community; officers that can be looked upon as pillars within the community.

Based on the employees being introduced tonight I believe we have a great start,” he told the council.

Walters went on to describe the law enforcement hiring process as “extremely rigorous and demanding,” on both the members conducting the process as well as the applicants.

“This process includes a written test, physical agility test, panel interviews, and chief’s interview, medical examination, physiological testing and an extensive background check and polygraph examination, Walters said.

Through the tireless efforts of our personnel advertising our openings, actively recruiting and conducting the hiring process itself, we have been able to hire six new police officers and one new staff sergeant,” he told the council.

Five of the new hires are “laterals” and two are new recruits that will need to attend the police academy, Walters said.

The two officers sworn in during the Jan. 8 council meeting were Admin. Sgt. III Chuck Haines, a longtime Globe police officer returning from retirement and Police Officer Justin Reynolds, formerly with the Superior Police Department.

Judge John Perlman conducted the swearing-in ceremony that evening.

When it came his turn to speak, Haines thanked Walters “for being persistent” about talking him out of retirement.

Haines said that he also came back because he liked “the direction Chief Walters is taking the police department.”

Two others are Police Officer II Jeremy Cochran, a former Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy, and Police Officer I Jonathan Clements, a former Globe police officer and most recently with the Miami Police Department, he said.

Walters said that both Cochran and Clements were in training and would be sworn in at the next council meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22.

He also introduced Trent Clatterbuck, who has prior law enforcement experience, most recently as an investigator with the Navajo County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Clatterbuck will attend the Southeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy, beginning Jan. 14.

“To make sure Trent had a traveling companion, we were also able to hire Patrick Martinez,” Walters said.

Martinez is from San Manuel and will attend the academy along with Clatterbuck.

While certified out of Texas, “Roman Hernandez is finally home,” he said.

A graduate of Miami High School, Hernandez is, “to Commander Castaneda’s joy, a true Vandal,” Walters said.

As one of the laterals Walters had hired, Hernandez will complete the AZPOST (Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board) waiver process over the next several weeks.

Once certified by AZPOST, Clatterbuck, Martinez and Hernandez will be back in front of the council to be sworn in, he said.

Also, at the Jan. 8 council meeting, Globe Det. Sgt. Steve Williams and Det. Irasema Teran were recognized for their outstanding work assisting the Department of the Army on an investigation in Globe, Walters said.

Calling his first four months as chief a “whirlwind,” Walters thanked the Globe city staff, council, and police department for their support, after which the council and audience gave a standing ovation.

In a related matter, the council unanimously approved Globe Mayor Al Gameros’ appointment of former City Councilman Lerry Alderman to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System local fire and police boards.

Councilman Freddy Rios said Alderman “an excellent choice,” calling him very attentive with budgets and financials.