Montrose City Hall

MAY 18, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Montrose
Office of the City Manager
433 South First Street
Montrose, CO 81401

Contact: William Woody, Public Information Officer
970.240.1439   |    william@visitmontrose.com    |   www.cityofmontrose.org


Montrose Police Department Welcomes Five New Officers



Montrose, CO — The Montrose Police Department officially welcomed five new police officers to its ranks Monday, backfilling a number of vacant positions in the department. Officers Cameron Pensyl, Joshua Lamphere, Jordan Hewitt, Connor Gibbs, and Peter Chell all recently completed an 18-week law enforcement academy in Grand Junction. 

Police Chief Blaine Hall, along with Commander Matt Smith, hosted a swearing-in ceremony for the officers on the city campus with limited public access to adhere to social distancing guidelines. The ceremony was broadcast online so friends and family members of the new officers could watch and voice their support. Members of city staff and the City Council also tuned in to watch as the officers removed their protective facemasks to take the department oath. 

With the new recruits seated before him, Chief Hall told the officers the job they were hired to do was about “helping people and helping this community,” by working as a department-wide team to reduce crime, social harm to citizens, and the number of drugs circulating in the community. 

“Being a police officer –  it’s not just a job, it’s a calling,” Hall said. “Trust and integrity are huge issues at the Montrose Police Department. Your integrity is everything and once you lose that integrity it becomes very difficult for us to continue that employment relationship." 

Chief Hall told the officers that the city and its departments, from the City Manager’s Office to Public Works and City Hall, are part of one large team working each day to better the lives of Montrose residents. He said the culture at the department is one of positivity and advised the new officers to always strive to do "the right thing at the right time."

"Right now, above and beyond COVID-19, we have a lot of issues within our community, primarily drugs, and through intelligence-led policing we’re going to get a handle on a lot of that," Hall said. "It is really about community safety.” 

Following the ceremony, the officers were dismissed to begin additional training within Police Department headquarters. 

Information about future department recruitment and hiring will be released as it becomes available. 

For more City news visit CityOfMontrose.org.

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About the City of Montrose 

For information, visit CityofMontrose.org.  Follow the city on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofmontroseco) and Twitter (@montrosegov).  City Hall is located in downtown Montrose at 433 South First Street and may be reached at 970-240-1400. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

 
Montrose Police Department Welcomes Five New Officers
Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall speaks to a group of new police officers during a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning May 18, 2020. (William Woody, City of Montrose)
 Montrose Police Department Welcomes Five New Officers
Montrose Police Officer Cameron Pensyl reads the police officer’s oath with Commander Matt Smith looking on during a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning May 18, 2020. (William Woody, City of Montrose)
 Montrose Police Department Welcomes Five New Officers
Montrose Police Officer Joshua Lamphere reads the police officer’s oath to Chief Blaine Hall, right, and Commander Matt Smith, center, during a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning May 18, 2020. (William Woody, City of Montrose)
 Montrose Police Department Welcomes Five New Officers
Montrose Police Officer Jordan Hewitt reads the police officer’s oath to Chief Blaine Hall, right, and Commander Matt Smith, center, during a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning May 18, 2020. (William Woody, City of Montrose)
 Montrose Police Department Welcomes Five New Officers
Montrose Police Officer Connor Gibbs receives applause from Chief Blaine Hall, right, and Commander Matt Smith, center, during a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning May 18, 2020. (William Woody, City of Montrose)
 Montrose Police Department Welcomes Five New Officers
Montrose Police Officer Peter Chell reads the police officer’s oath with Commander Matt Smith looking on during a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning May 18, 2020. (William Woody, City of Montrose)
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433 South First Street, Montrose CO 81401

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