After 12 weeks of training, 18 new police officers hit the streets of downtown Salt Lake City this week.
Several lieutenants told the Deseret News how to spot them. "Every doodad they think they need for fighting crime will be pinned to their brand-new uniforms," said one lieutenant."Brand-new uniforms (no grease stains), spit-shine shoes and all bundled up because they're not used to working in the cold," said another.
"You can't miss them," said a third lieutenant. "They're so young!"
The recruits have been pulled from the classroom to help with holiday traffic and crowds in the downtown area. After Christmas they'll return for nine more weeks of training.
The rookies patrolling outside Crossroads Plaza on a recent night said they're just glad to finally be out with people. They joked with kids and argued with a street singer about whether they or he owned the street corner where they all stood.
Sione Palauni said he joined the force because a metro gang unit officer talked him into taking the exam. He was working at the airport when he was hired by the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Another new officer is close to finishing his degree in political science at the University of Utah. Ryan Atack said he has wanted to work in law enforcement all his life. He's hoping his experienceon the Salt Lake force will lead to a career with the FBI.
"When I was a boy, I always looked up to the cops," said new officer Tom Gallegos. "When I got the chance to become like them, I took it," he said.
The veteran officers call the rookies "little puppies," the rookies said.
"It's traditional to give us a hard time - but it's not working," Atack said. "They're too happy to see us." The last class of new officers came into the department in May 1991 - officers have left and have not been replaced since that time.
"We're freeing up the experienced officers for other things," Palauni said. "And we get to try `community-oriented' policing - visiting with the folks downtown who come to shop or look at Christmas decorations and getting to know the merchants - they all feel our presence and it makes for a better environment."
"You tell everyone it's really safe downtown - tell them to come see us," Gallegos said.