×

Decatur Police Department adds new officers to ranks at swearing in ceremony

Aug 30, 2023 | 5:56 PM

August 30, 2023 – The Decatur Police added six new patrol officers to their ranks Wednesday during a swearing-in ceremony in City Council Chambers.

Those new officers include Ashlyn Bennett from Oreana. Bennett is a graduate of Millikin University and also interned with the Decatur Police Department; Riley Brelsfoard from Blue Mound and a member of the Army Reserves; Zachary Harding of Decatur. Harding attended RCC and has his EMS certification; Carlans Nance of Decatur. Nance also attended RCC and received a technical certificate. Prior to the DPD, Nance worked security at DPS61 and is a US Army Veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan; Darrien Vance of Central Illinois. Vance attended Lincoln Land Community College before serving as a police officer in Georgia; Sarah Heatherton, a former DPD officer who returned to the DPD and is currently in field training. (*Not in attendance).

Bennett said she grew up around law enforcement in her family and the career choice was an easy one. “I’ve always been very fascinated with law enforcement and had an opportunity to intern with the Decatur Police Department last summer. I saw it was a great agency and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel stated that recruitment has been one of the Decatur Police Department’s top priorities. “Part of those recruitment efforts include trying to get a diverse workforce and I think this particular class is a good one in that way.” Brandel said that they are still hoping to recruit more officers and be at full staff by the end of 2023.

Four of the new officers will now attend training at the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for 16 weeks. Heatherton and Vance are lateral transfers and will have some in-house training or completion of field training.

To find out more about careers with the Decatur Police Department, Click HERE.