NEW BERLIN— The Town of New Berlin Police Department is making some positive changes it says will “provide professional police services” to residents and visitors of New Berlin.
Officer in Charge Andrew Wheatley said the department has hired two new police officers –one part-time and one full-time– as part of their mission to make an “operationally sound department that will provide adequate coverage.”
The newly-hired officer Richard Gorton started part-time on Oct. 1. He is also a part-time officer for the Village of Hamilton, the town where he grew up and has worked since 1993.
“I heard they were looking for help and had some spare time. I am still getting my feet wet and learning the area,” said Gorton. “There is a lot more area to cover in New Berlin than in Hamilton, but I like road patrol.”
Gorton also worked as a corrections officer from 1987 to 2011 for the Madison County Sheriff's Office. He has not only worked as an officer. Gorton said, “I have always been in emergency services.” He is a fifth generation firefighter and third generation fire chief. Gorton is the Morrisville Fire Department Chief, where he currently resides.
The officer and fire chief looks forward to getting to know New Berlin and its residents. He said, “I hope to meet people in pleasant circumstance. Feel free to stop by. I am glad to meet anybody."
The second officer hired, Anthony Grimes –who will become a full-time officer next year– is currently attending the Syracuse Police Academy. He began training there Aug. 25 of this year, and he is set to graduate sometime mid-February.
Grimes graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Geology from SUNY Oneonta. Wheatley said he was hired from an active civil servant list. “He's been involved in asset and loss prevention as an officer,” said Wheatley.
The officer-in-training will begin his 160 hours of field training with the department in mid-February after he graduates. Wheatley said he has already started familiarizing himself with the area.
“We are looking forward to Grimes' completion. We are also very happy to have these new people. We sought a new full-time position and the board was so supportive by helping create it,” said Wheatley.
Wheatley was directly involved in the hiring process. He said the officers went through extensive background and history checks. “We want to put the right person on the road, which is why we go to such great lengths to make sure we hire someone who is committed and mature,” added Wheatley.
