WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. May 23, 2005: Commissioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub swore in 8 new White Plains Police Officers this afternoon at a traditional ceremony in the Public Safety Building. Each of the elite eight are being hired from other police departments.

Commisioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub administers the Oath of Office to White Plains newest Finest. Six are from the New York Police Department, and two were previously officers with the Environmental Police, according to the Commissioner. The Commissioner said they would be assigned in neighborhood units to start their orientation to White Plains, but because they have been police officers, and have completed police academy training would be expected to be drawing regular shifts by June. Photo by WPCNR News.

“We were looking to hire veteran police officers,” Straub told WPCNR, “because we had vacancies we needed to fill. We had about 35 applicants, and were looking for officers with experience.” The Commissioner told WPCNR that if they had hired new recruits without police experience they would not be on the job for at least six months. Commissioner Straub is seen addressing the new police officers in the front row. In background are Deputy Commisioners of Public Safety, left to right, David Chong and Dr. Charles Jennings. At far right are Fire Chief Richard Lyman and Police Chief William Bradley. Photo by WPCNR News

Straub said the new police officers hired today put the White Plains Police force at a compliment of 200, and the eight fill vacancies. He said he hoped to hire 10 more officers in January of 2006 to bring the department to full strength. The eight are starting at the standard WPPD salary of $48,000 a year.

White Plains new Elite Eight: Veteran Police Officers. The eight officers sworn in today as patrol officers are Michael Abbruzzese, Antonio Cuervo, Gina Denapoli, Vincent Fasano, Michael Lanuto, Jr., Kirt Maddocks, Josef Miedreich, and Kathleen Provenzano. Photo by WPCNR News.

In his remarks, the Commissioner thanked the families, parents and spouses for sharing their loved ones with the department and the sacrifices they make by doing so. He welcomed the new recruits by saying they are joining a department that is being called on for advice and looked to nationally and called upon to address national conferences for its organization, its approaches to the demands on law enforcement today, and how it handles domestic violence.

The Commissioner closed his remarks by suggesting the new recruits take time to think about their oath of office every day to retain their focus on what their responsibility to the city is supposed to be.

Six are from the New York Police Department, and two were previously officers with the Environmental Police, according to the Commissioenr. The Commissioner said they would be assigned in the neighborhood units to start their orientation to White Plains, but because they have been police officers, and have completed police academy training would be expected to be drawing regular shifts by June.

“We were looking to hire veteran police officers,” Straub told WPCNR, “because we had vacancies we needed to fill. We had about 35 applicants, and were looking for officers with experience.” The Commissioner told WPCNR that if they had hired new recruits without police experience they would not be on the job for at least six months.

The eight officers sworn in today as patrol officers are Michael Abbruzzese, Antonio Cuervo, Gina Denapoli, Vincent Fasano, Michael Lanuto, Jr., Kirt Maddocks, Josef Miedreich, and Kathleen Provenzano.

Straub said the new police officers hired today put the White Plains Police force at a compliment of 200, and the eight fill vacancies. He said he hoped to hire 10 more officers in January of 2006 to bring the department to full strength. The eight are starting at the standard WPPD salary of $48,000 a year.

In his remarks, the Commissioner thanked the families, parents and spouses for sharing their loved ones with the department and the sacrifices they make by doing so. He welcomed the new recruits by saying they are joining a department that is being called on for advice and looked to nationally and called upon to address national conferences for its organization, its approaches to the demands on law enforcement today, and how it handles domestic violence.

The Commissioner closed his remarks by suggesting the new recruits take time to think about their oath of office every day to retain their focus on what their responsibility to the city is supposed to be.

Mayor Joseph Delfino could not attend the ceremony because he was "out of town," according to The Mayor's Office.