GLOVERSVILLE — The Gloversville Police Department has hired a new public safety secretary.
According to the April through June quarterly report, Paula Christensen has been appointed from the civil service eligible list as the department’s second public safety secretary under the direct supervision of Patricia Cooper.
The position was one of several that was added to the department in the 2017 budget. Other new positions include three additional police officer positions and one detective position.
Six new officers were introduced to the city last month and have begun training. Andrew Wilson, Stephen Kolbe, Michael Quattrocchi, James Loose Elizabeth Hogan and Christopher Pescetti were introduced to the Common Council and public in June.
The department is currently processing a seventh candidate for the academy which will bring “the force to full strength at 35 sworn positions.”
Two new officers who were hired at the end of 2016 are nearing the end of their field training. Officers Bryan Wigginton and Garret Thompson are scheduled to conclude field training at the end of the month. Both officers completed their training at the Zone 5 Law Enforcement Academy in January and they have been doing field training since then.
Earlier this year, the department announced the promotion of Michael Shang to lieutenant in March, along with the promotion of officer Lucas Nellis to detective that same month.
The department also promoted Officer Jillian Faville to Detective in January, the first woman to ever serve in that capacity in the department.
∫ GPD officers had 1,350 hours of training in this quarter including firearms instructor courses, de-escalation, police field training officer course, courtroom testimony in narcotics cases and SWAT operator courses among the many officers attended.
Kerry Minor can be reached at [email protected]
