In the regular police report to the Hastings City Council Monday, Deputy Chief Dale Boulter, standing in for vacationing Chief Jeff Pratt, said for the first time in its history, or at least as long as he's been with the department, they have three brand new officers all at the same time: Nathan Schaap, Mario Jimenez and Steven Damveld.
Schapp just graduated from the Grand Valley Police Academy and is in his fourth week of training; Jimenez comes from the GVSU Police Department and is in his second week. Damveld, who reports Monday, works for the Department of Corrections and will replace Sgt. Denis Lajcak who will be retiring.
“It’s a little challenging getting them all started…but I’m sure they will work out fine. So, you’ll see a lot of new faces. We’ll get them all in here and introduce them,” Boulter said.
In other police matters, Sgt. Karen Larsen and fellow officers Julissa Kelly and Kaitlin Stults attended one-day training session in Grand Rapids for "Female Enforcers" and gave positive feedback from it.
Boulter, who is credited with organizing the National Night Out observance locally, gave the council an update on the event. The evening is a great way for the public to meet and get to know the people in Barry County who respond to them, their friends and neighbors during an emergency.
“The event promotes a sense of community, positive public relations, safety and trust between the public and emergency services personnel who serve them,” he said.
Barry Central 911, Hastings and county police departments,
Barry County Sheriff’s deputies, Michigan State troopers, area fire department firefighters, EMTs and ambulance service personnel will bring their equipment and explain what they do in emergency response.
He said planning for the event is coming together nicely. Barry County Sheriff’s Posse members and Hastings Police Department Reserve officers will work together again to control the traffic flow during the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. event. Boulter said they have 43 sponsors for the Aug. 6 event so far and are posting event information on their Facebook page.
