Sergeant Corey Butcher of the Centralia Police Department prepares to recite a code of ethics during a Centralia City Council meeting on Feb. 12, 2019.
Deputy Chief Stacy Denham of the Centralia Police Department recites a code of ethics during a Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019
Sergeant John Dorff of the Centralia Police Department points out family members at a Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019.
Two officers recently hired onto the Centralia Police Department were introduced at Tuesday evening’s council meeting, and three additional officers were recognized for recent promotions.
Each officer individually read the law enforcement code of ethics in front of a full council chamber, filled predominantly with family members and members of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, who were there in a showing of support.
Officer Timothy O’Dell was hired in November 2018. He was a lateral hire, said Police Chief Carl Nielsen, meaning he had prior law enforcement experience. He worked with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Evergreen College Police Department.
O’Dell recently completed field training, said Nielsen, meaning he’s been cleared to work on his own.
Officer Kyle Stockdale came to the department from the U.S. Marine Corps. He was hired in July 2017 as a community service officer, where he was instrumental to the 24/7 probation program, said Nielsen. In July 2018, he was hired as a police officer, and completed the basic academy last month. He’s currently in field training, said Nielsen.
Additionally, two officers were recently promoted to sergeant positions.
Sgt. Corey Butcher has been with the department since 2009. Since then he’s been a detective and a field training officer. He’s currently a team leader with the Lewis County SWAT Team. He was promoted to sergeant in January.
Sgt. John Dorff was hired in March 2016 after stints with Nevada Highway Patrol and the Kent Police Department. He’s a field training officer and SWAT team member. Dorff was promoted to sergeant this month.
Finally, Nielsen and the council recognized Deputy Chief Stacy Denham. Denham has been with the department since 2006, after experience with Washington State Patrol and the Chehalis Police Department. He was promoted to sergeant in 2010, police commander in 2015 and to deputy chief in January.
“As you can see, the department is in great shape,” said Nielsen. “Moving forward, we have talented individuals. We’re bringing in young people that are put through the academy. … We’re getting great laterals.”
Nielsen added that often the final time an officer reads the code of ethics is when they graduate from the academy. He said he likes them to read it any time they’re promoted, saying it serves as a good reminder of what the job is supposed to be about.
It begins: “As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind, to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder and to respect the constitutional right of all men to liberty, equality and justice.”
