The Fort Pierce Police Department swore in five new police officers Wednesday.
Officers Nicholas Greco, Mathew Memon, Lovensky Mezadieu, and Nathan Tierney are recent graduates of the IRSC Law Enforcement Academy and new to law enforcement. Officer Joseph Griner has a year of previous police experience with another Department.
A family member stepped up to pin the Department badge on each of the officers, and Fort Pierce Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney spoke to them about the power and responsibility that comes with being a police officer.
“Your loved ones are about to receive one of the greatest powers anyone can have and that’s taking someone’s freedom away," said the Chief. "I talked to them ahead of time, because I want to make sure that it’s always for the right reason. Yes, we have bad people who do bad things, but it must always be for the right reason.”
Amidst wide-spread national concerns over police violence following the beating death of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police, the Chief said she wants her new officers to help improve the perception of police.
“I expect for them to change the dynamics of how people view police," she said. "So many people view us as being these horrible, horrible, people, and we’re not. We’re here to serve, and we’re here to protect."
And Deputy Chief Bob Ridle reminded the new officers what’s on the back of the badges they now wear.
“On the rear of the badge are the names of 4 officers who lost their lives protecting the citizens of Fort Pierce. So every day when we pin this badge on we honor those men’s memory by honorably serving our citizens.”
