Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
DOWNINGTOWN SWEARS-IN OFFICERS
Six new officers will serve Downingtown Borough and East Caln Township
DOWNINGTOWN>> The Downingtown Police Department sworein six new police officers on Wednesday at a Borough Coun- cil meeting.
Three full-time and three part-time police officers will serve the Downingtown Borough and East Caln Township, a combined population of about 13,500 people.
Downingtown Police Chief James McGowan, who has served as chief for 15 years, began as a part-time dispatcher. He told the officers that they will be given the help and resources needed to succeed in what they what out of their careers.
“Whatever you want to make of yourself,” McGowan said,” we’re going to give you the opportunity to do it.”
The new officers include: Kurt Gravina; Brandon Seibert; Geoffery Burkhart; Caleb Komorowski; Jim Chance; and Stefanie Dunne.
The failure rate for the background phase to become a Downingtown police officer is 66 percent, according to McGowan.
“It speaks to the character of these individuals that they were
able to get through this process,” McGowan said. “It’s very extensive.”
In its police department ranks, there are new hires and current officers who are veterans who served in various branches of the military.
McGowan also honored two police officers who retired.
Jim Reed began as a police officer in Caln Township. He retired as lieutenant there but then worked as a part-time patrol officer for Downingtown. Soon after, at 58, he worked full time with Downingtown.
“He was a good person to have in the squad room so that the young guys who were out there could bounce stuff off of him,” McGowan said.
Reed was recognized for serving eight years. He has agreed to work part time as a court officer.
When Reed accepted his plaque, he thanked the police and Borough council members for his opportunity to serve.
“I think you have a special department here. I’ve worked with a number of police departments and these guys are really something and special, so thank you,” Reed said.
Sgt. Mark Harootunian, who retired after 27 years of service, said it was an honor to serve.
“He was our Officer Friendly,” McGowan said. “He’s probably the officer that has the most letters from citizens thanking him for the little things in life, which means a lot to him.”
McGowan described Harootunian as an officer that was never too busy to help someone. He also began initiatives including for inspections of child safety seats and signs posted in the Borough that state “buckle up, it’s our law.”
“It’s what being a police officer in a small town is all about,” McGowan said. “It’s about customer service.”
McGowan described the department as service-oriented. He said Downingtown has about 7,000 calls a year for service and they make about 400 arrests per year. Currently the department has three school resource officers that serve in a rotation at Downingtown West High School, STEM Academy, Downingtown Middle School, Beaver Creek Elementary School and East Ward Elementary School, of the Downingtown Area School District.
Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell thanked the retired officers for their service. He commended all of the police officers for keeping the area safe.
“The Borough of Downingtown is one of the safest boroughs in Chester County and it’s one of the safest counties in the country,” Maxwell said. “That starts with a police department and dedicated officers going out every day, working really hard and getting to know the people in this community.”
Judge Thomas W. Tartaglio swore-in the officers. Tartaglio began his career as a part-time Downingtown police officer. McGowan presented him with a challenge coin, which is a military tradition that is common among law enforcement, to thank him for his help with the swearin process.
Tartaglio said the required swear-in process is also a time to acknowledge the core-values that he said the officers have inside of them to fulfill their duties.