SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Mayor David Weiss swore in four new police officers last week, bringing the department to within a half-dozen of a full contingent of 68 on the force.
All four come to Shaker with prior law enforcement experience from other departments, along with bachelor’s degrees, and in two cases, master’s degrees as well.
“Each will be assigned a field training officer for internal training, but will be out in the community in the very near future,” noted City Director of Communications and Marketing Ann McGuire, who also put together some background on the new members:
— Officer Madison Hooper comes to Shaker Heights from the City of Akron Police Department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in national security and intelligence. She enjoys reading and crafts.
— Officer Davonne Singleton comes over from the Cleveland Division of Police. He has a degree in small business management, and he likes playing basketball and video games, is a sneaker enthusiast, and enjoys live music concerts.
— Officer Victoria Shucofsky also served with the Cleveland Division of Police. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and enjoys the outdoors, including hiking and gardening.
— Officer Tat-Hau Tse arrives from the Bentleyville Police Department with a bachelor of arts degree from Kent State University. He likes to remain active by traveling and biking and also enjoys photography.
Shortly after being sworn in himself earlier this year, new Shaker Heights Police Wayne Hudson said he was looking forward to hiring 10 new police officers, with interviews having gotten underway in April.
“Our hiring process includes a diverse team, with two women — one White and one Black,” Hudson noted earlier. “And the interviews feature questions reviewed by our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer (Colleen Jackson).”
Once out in the field, the new recruits will join the regular rotation of a community-directed policing plan set up in six city zones, with officers assigned to one zone for three months at a time, then moving to another to become familiar with the whole city.
Also sworn in on June 5 to the ceremonial rank of Junior Police Officer was Ramaun Dollar, who will be mentored by members of the Shaker Heights Police Department.
“This nine-year-old stole the show, which you wouldn’t think could happen with so many police officers nearby,” McGuire noted. “Chief Hudson met him at an Easter egg hunt in Chelton Park and learned that this young man has wanted to be a police officer since he was three.”
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