Stockton Swears In New Officer And Nine Trainees

Stockton has passed a milestone by swearing in a new police officer and adding nine new trainees for its police academy.

Those additions put the police force seven officers past the department's authorized force of 365.

The city plans to add more officers using voter-approved Measure A funds. Police Chief Eric Jones says he hopes to have 485 officers within three years.

Chief Jones swore in Kevin Jones, no relation to the chief, as its newest officer.

"Do solemnly swear...do solemnly swear...I will support and defend."

Voters passed Measure A last year to raise the sales tax to pay for 120 more police officers after the ranks dwindled due to cutbacks, retirement, and transfers.

Chief Jones says the department is finally inching toward its goal of 485 officers.

"We anticipate 40 per year over three years which will bring us up to 120 so that's the goal over three years."

Kevin Jones says more officers like himself will make a difference in a city where violent crime is often the norm.

"We'd have more officers to take calls, calls won't be sitting and waiting, we'll be able to be proactive more so with more officers.