The Village of Maywood council witnessed the swearing-in of new members of its police department and the promotions of two current officers in a recent ceremony streamed live on Facebook.
Recently promoted Deputy Police Chief Theodore Yancy swore in the four new members in an event at the village's police department, when the recruits were introduced to the council. During the introduction, Yancy said he was excited to introduce the recruits and that the department had "full faith" in their abilities.
The recruits will attend the police academy beginning in January.
The event also celebrated the promotions of two current Maywood police officers, Lonell Whitlock and Benjamin Martinez. Both officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Whitlock, a Chicago native, graduated from the Chicago Military Academy in 2004 then enlisted in the Illinois National Guard. He began his career in law enforcement in 2010, serving as a hospital and also an aviation police officer, and joined the Maywood police department in 2012.
Whitlock recently returned from a military deployment, during which he was responsible for the weapons training of 125 troops. Whitlock is currently enrolled in law enforcement and public safety courses and is working on a master's degree.
Benjamin Martinez, also a native of Chicago, graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 2011 with a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice. He joined the Maywood police department in 2013 and has served as a field training officer, task force officer and detective.
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