New recruits bolstering Roanoke police force

More than 30 new officers will be added by 2018

ROANOKE, Va. – By the end of this year, the Roanoke City Police Department will have reached its goal of graduating more than a dozen new officers from the police academy.

This is after a presentation made by the police chief at a City Council meeting last month. Chief Tim Jones said more officers were needed to patrol certain parts of the city.

The police academy is held twice a year in January and June The current recruitment class has 27 potential officers.

Fighting, running and real-life simulations such as driving and shooting a gun are all part of the training process to become a police officer.

"It's important to become physically fit. Physical structures do a very good job of making you fit before you graduate," said Jessica Thompson, who, at 20 years old, is one of the youngest recruits for her class.

Over the next few months, she will train to protect and serve her community, something she's wanted to do her whole life.

"I wanted to help people. And as I grew older I saw the violence in the community I figure the best way to help that is to become a police officer," Thompson said.

Learning about domestic disturbance is one of their most important classes in the academy.
    
Thompson says she never expects her future career to be easy all the time.

"It's one of the most dangerous calls as an officer to go to. Because emotions are so high and you never know what you're walking into," Thompson said.

Roanoke police hope to have more than 30 new patrol officers by 2018.
   
In June, Jones said they're also increasing police presence in the areas around Carilion and the Amtrak station once it's up and running.

Twenty officers graduated Friday. Thompson was there to see the ceremony and looks forward to her own graduation.

"I will feel honored to be walking across the stage and get pinned," Thompson said.

Graduation for her group will be in December.

The new officers will fill positions left vacant by those who are retiring and to keep the department fully staffed.

Besides the physical ability, there are other things to make a good recruit.
  
"Dependable, honest dependable intelligence, and they really want this job. As was in their heart, they really want this job. It's a lot of work and a lot of effort," Roanoke police Investigator Loren Ford said.