A day after Veterans Day, the Centralia City Council, which itself includes two military veterans, welcomed a former member of the U.S. Army as the newest member of the Centralia Police Department.
Centralia Police Chief Andy Caldwell officially swore in officer Cameron Pak partway through the Centralia City Council meeting Wednesday evening.
As Caldwell went through the normal procedure introducing Pak and guiding him through the ceremony, the chief pointed out that the young officer was the department's first new recruit since Caldwell became chief of the department.
Caldwell also emphasized that after Pak started at the police academy roughly five months ago, the new officer graduated with the highest practical score in his class. Scores for practical applications in the police academy signal a cadet’s skills in the hands-on parts of the job, from patrol and defensive tactics to conducting stops and engaging with citizens.
“He scored the highest in their academy,” Caldwell said. “So we're really proud of him for that. We're really proud to have him here with us.”
During his introduction, Caldwell also provided a bit of background on the new officer.
Pak was originally born in Centralia before, shortly after his birth, he was moved to Rogers, Washington, where he was raised and went to school.
After high school, Pak joined the U.S. Army. He left the service just over a year ago in December 2024. After leaving the Army, Pak and his wife decided to relocate to Washington. Pak went through the Centralia Police Department’s background check process before being enrolled in the police academy.
After the introduction from Caldwell, Pak, like every new Centralia officer, read the department's code of ethics in front of the Centralia City Council and everyone else in attendance.
As part of the department's code of ethics, officers are expected to uphold a list of personal values in both their professional and personal lives.
“I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all, and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency,” Pak read in front of the council as well as a crowd of loved ones, including his wife. “I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule, develop self restraint and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others honest in thought and deed, both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department.”
Pak then recited his oath to Caldwell who, after the oath, called on Pak’s wife to pin the young officer's badge to his chest.
“I will abide by the Centralia Police Department standards of conduct and code of ethics and will to the best of my ability protect the public peace and safety and faithfully discharge the duties of a police officer of the City of Centralia,” Pak read back to Caldwell.
After his official oath, Pak was welcomed with applause and cheers from those in the room who had come to support him.
Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston also offered Pak and his wife one last welcome and urged him to uphold the high standards the city has come to expect of its officers and staff.
“We appreciate your commitment,” Smith Johnston said. “We have high standards here for our police department, and I agree with the chief: We have the best in the region because of those high standards. As long as you live by that code of ethics, you will have our support and we’ll have your back through thick and thin.”
