Heber City Police Department swore in a new officer at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Heber City Chief of Police Dave Booth said he had heard about Officer Anel Maldonado before he met her.
“A few months ago, I started hearing that we had a cadet in one of our local academies down in Utah County that was making some very bold statements. That she wanted to work for Heber City and nowhere else.”
Chief Booth heard good things about Officer Maldonado from officers in the academy and from fellow chiefs in neighboring counties. He said they’re hiring her as a reserve officer.
“Right now, she’s in her field training process. It's anticipated that when the budget is approved, she will fill that full-time position that we are hiring for in July.”
Officer Maldonado is from California although her family is originally from Mexico. Chief Booth says she is fluent in Spanish and graduated top of her class from the academy.
“We are very proud to have her here. It's my goal as the Chief of Police to have a department that's representative of our community. Our community is changing, the culture is changing, the diversity is changing. With Rogelio and with Anel being hired on you are definitely seeing the look of our department changing. That is something that is on my list and priorities and goals to do; to make sure that our Police Department reflects what our community is as well.”
Additionally, the Heber City Police Kids Academy is coming up on Wednesday June 12th.
The academy runs from 9:00 am to Noon and is open to children ages 10 to 14 years old.
Officers will guide the kids through gun safety, animal safety, physical fitness, evidence collection and a tour of a police vehicle.
Those interested in participating in the academy can visit Heber City’s website or call the police department 435-657-7910.
