Keith Bryant
The Bella Vista Police Department hired three new officers who were sworn in Friday.
Police Chief Ken Farmer wrote in an email that these three were hired as replacements for officers who are no longer with the department. The department hired one all-new officer at the beginning of the year, he wrote, and will hire two more new positions in the summer.
This trio will head to the police academy in Camden on May 7.
Yancy McCool, one of the three, is an Anderson, Mo., resident with a background in sales. He has a wife and three kids, he said.
He was introduced to the Bella Vista Police Department through his friend, officer Lucas Henson, he said.
"I did a ride-along with him and fell in love with it," McCool said.
He wanted to move into a line of work that provides more of a benefit for those around him, he said, and helping others will be his main priority as an officer.
"I've always worked for higher wages," he said, "and it's time to start doing something I love every day."
As someone joining the force a bit older, he said, he expects to bring his life experience to the department.
Joshua Hendry, said he moved to Bella Vista about a year ago. He's got a wife, an 18-month-old boy and a puppy at home, he said.
Prior to joining the force, he said, he worked in asset protection, which means he's worked with the police a great deal in the past.
"I'm happy to be here," he said. "My family and I love it here and I'm happy to give back."
The third of these new hires, Jeremiah Morris, said he currently lives in Siloam Springs and has worked in management capacity with a variety of industries, including a pediatric clinic in Siloam Springs.
He has a fiancée who has two children he considers his own.
He has a bachelor's degree in international business with a focus on management, he said, and he took some graduate classes in psychology.
He's good at working with all sorts of people, he said.
"I said since a little kid whatever job I do is going to be helping people," he said.
General News on 04/26/2017