BENICIA, Calif. — The Benicia Police Department welcomed two new officers to its ranks Monday.
Officers Jenna Cameron and MarJonne Roberson were sworn in along with newly promoted Lt. Frank Hartig and Sgt. James Laughter at Monday's City Hall ceremony.
The two officers were chosen from more than 100 applicants, replacing those who had left the department, Police Chief Andrew Bidou said.
"They both value customer service and have good experience," Bidou said. "They are just a good fit for the community."
Cameron worked as a Dixon Police detective for more than five years before moving to Benicia. She was a Suisun City traffic officer before that.
"It's a bigger department, (than Dixon) and there's more career opportunity," said Cameron, Benicia's only female officer of 35 on the force.
After being a detective for several years, Cameron said Monday was her first graveyard shift, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Like Cameron, Roberson said he chose to join the Benicia Police Department because it's closer to his Fairfield home.
"The commute is now 10 minutes, compared to the one hour before," Roberson said.
He was a corporal at Fairfax Police Department, but had always wanted to work for Benicia, he said.
"My first ever ride-along in 2002 was in Benicia," Roberson said.
"I wanted to go learn the job at a smaller department that has a slower pace," he added. "But now I'm looking forward to working with the citizens of Benicia."
Hartig and Laughter were promoted March 15.
Hartig was a patrol sergeant before the promotion.
"I already miss (patrol)," Hartig said. "I've never been in this side of the house, I'm going into a whole new area. Its going to be a challenge, but I'm excited."
Hartig, sergeant at arms for the California Narcotic Officers' Association, said he is passionate about narcotics enforcement.
In fact, his first case in Benicia in 1989, and last case as a patrol sergeant were drug-related cases.
Another promotion recipient, Laughter said he was chosen from eight people who tested for the promotion.
"I was surprised I got it," said Laughter, who's been in Benicia since April 2005. "The department has so many other talented people. But I'm looking forward to the different challenges."
The police department also recently hired Ondriea Perino, a new public safety dispatcher, and gained two police explorers Aaron Lee and Jackson McNutt from Benicia High School.