Kettering hires 7 new police officers

The Kettering police department swore in seven new officers Monday, the highest number at one time in its hiring history, according city officials.

Chief Chip Protsman, who took over after former Chief James O’Dell retired in April, said the officers filled vacancies in the department and that the city’s police force is now fully staffed at 81 patrol men and women.

Billy Joe Ferrell, Jason Kramer, Matthew Stull, Carl Paulin, Jr., Joseph Grisehop, Brandon Harrison and Jonathon McCoy their Oaths of Office in front of friends and family outside the police station on Shroyer Road.

All seven officers were hired out of other area departments, including the Dayton Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’re very impressed with the other agencies around the Miami Valley,” Protsman said. “We draw from them every once in awhile.”

Kettering’s pay scale for police officers is between $28.69 and 38.73 per hour, depending on experience and level of education, officials said.

Billy Joe Ferrell, a former Oakwood officer who is now a member of the Kettering Regional S.W.A.T team, said he is looking forward to continuing his 20 year career in law enforcement under Protsman.

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