Completing their training at the Tifton Regional Police Academy at ABAC, the City of Cordele welcomed four newly certified police officers yesterday.

Cordele Police Chief Rob Rodriquez officiated the oath to his new officers and congratulated them on the steps they took to become certified.

Officer Wesley Hutchens will serve as a Patrol Officer.  He was formerly a corrections officer and also with the Crisp County Fire Rescue and is now happy to be fulfilling his dream of being a police officer.

Officer Porsche Sheffield will serve her first year as a Patrol Officer and is “looking to make a difference in the community by building a bridge between the African American culture and the police community.

Officer Sheffield is married to Daniel Sheffield and they have three children.

Officer Jimmy Banks returns home to Cordele after serving 16 years as a Deputy in Mississippi.  He’s glad to be back in Cordele and desires to “improve the quality of life in my hometown.”  He has two children.

Officer Amy Stokes, while already being  an Animal Control Officer with the city, is now fully certified and will maintain her position.  She has one daughter, who was honored with “pinning” her mother at the ceremony.

Family members and fellow officers were present to support the new officers and refreshments were served afterwards.