As the summer season in Saratoga Springs is upon the city, the police department has announced two new-hires on the force.
Saratoga Springs native Christopher Callahan and Ballston Spa native Kurt Nolan joined the Saratoga Springs Police Department following their graduation from the police academy July 10. They were sworn in at the July 21 City Council meeting to fill vacancies left from retirements over the past 18 months. Not only will the officers help by filling these vacancies, they will also help with the burden of overtime costs.
The officers were officially hired on January 13, however it takes an extensive period of time to bring the officers into the department due to background checks, physical examinations and of course, police academy training.
According to Officer Callahan, the news of his hire came at the perfect time: New Year's Eve.
"It certainly gave me a reason to celebrate. This is something I've always wanted," he said.
Callahan graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2000 and joined the Army Reserves following graduation while at the same time attending State University of New York at Potsdam studying criminal justice. After receiving his bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2006, he spent two years in active duty fighting in Iraq from 2007 through 2008. He came home late June 2008, in time to be honored for his work in Iraq by riding in Saratoga Springs' All-American Celebration parade.
It was before his experience as a combat soldier that he knew he wanted to be a police officer, however.
"I've always known I wanted to work in civil service. I was born and raised in this town and this is where I wanted to serve as well," he said.
Because he was serving in Iraq during the time the civil service test was offered, which officers must complete before they are considered for a position, he was graciously allowed a make-up exam. He was called in September by the police department telling him he was in the running for a position.
"Then we started the hiring process, which takes a long time," he said.
Callahan said he gives credit to his time spent in the Army Reserves in helping him gain skills for his career as a police officer.
"There were a number of things I learned in the military that helped a lot; the discipline of the job, the chain of command and structure of the working environment. There are a lot of carry-over skills that I've taken with me," he said.
As a new officer, Callahan said there is much to look forward to.
"Every day is new and exciting," he said. "I'm really looking forward to a busy summer."
Callahan lives in Saratoga Springs with his fiancée.
Please see next week's edition of Saratoga TODAY for an article about Officer Kurt Nolan.
The officers were officially hired on January 13, however it takes an extensive period of time to bring the officers into the department due to background checks, physical examinations and of course, police academy training.
According to Officer Callahan, the news of his hire came at the perfect time: New Year's Eve.
"It certainly gave me a reason to celebrate. This is something I've always wanted," he said.
Callahan graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2000 and joined the Army Reserves following graduation while at the same time attending State University of New York at Potsdam studying criminal justice. After receiving his bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2006, he spent two years in active duty fighting in Iraq from 2007 through 2008. He came home late June 2008, in time to be honored for his work in Iraq by riding in Saratoga Springs' All-American Celebration parade.
It was before his experience as a combat soldier that he knew he wanted to be a police officer, however.
"I've always known I wanted to work in civil service. I was born and raised in this town and this is where I wanted to serve as well," he said.
Because he was serving in Iraq during the time the civil service test was offered, which officers must complete before they are considered for a position, he was graciously allowed a make-up exam. He was called in September by the police department telling him he was in the running for a position.
"Then we started the hiring process, which takes a long time," he said.
Callahan said he gives credit to his time spent in the Army Reserves in helping him gain skills for his career as a police officer.
"There were a number of things I learned in the military that helped a lot; the discipline of the job, the chain of command and structure of the working environment. There are a lot of carry-over skills that I've taken with me," he said.
As a new officer, Callahan said there is much to look forward to.
"Every day is new and exciting," he said. "I'm really looking forward to a busy summer."
Callahan lives in Saratoga Springs with his fiancée.
Please see next week's edition of Saratoga TODAY for an article about Officer Kurt Nolan.
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