New Martinsville City Council unanimously approved the hiring of Jason Utt, left, as a full-time police officer effective that day.

“He is going to be a police officer for New Martinsville for a long time,” said Police Chief Tim Cecil, right. “We’re getting hometown people,” he added, noting Utt is a native of New Martinsville.

Councilman Steve Pallisco, who proudly made the recommendation for the police committee, said “the department is hiring for the future.”

Utt is expected to begin attending the West Virginia Police Academy on Jan. 5, but the city is still waiting for confirmation of that slot.

Pallisco said the department still needs two more full-time officers to made it fully staffed. An advertisement for the position is on page 5B of this paper. “Our officers are still working several hours every week and they’re doing a good job,” offered Pallisco. (Photo by Amy Witschey)