An enthusiastic crowd gathered Friday afternoon at the Bellefontaine Municipal Airport to show their support for new Bellefontaine Police Department Officer Morgan Brewer as she took her office of office — the first female officer to successfully complete the hiring process at the agency in about 20 years.
Two of her youngest supporters, her brothers Jace and Jacob, couldn’t wait to hug and congratulate their older sister after she was sworn in by Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler. Her impressionable siblings, ages 8 and 11, were one of the reasons behind her career choice, the 2016 Marion-Franklin High School graduate said.
“Serving in law enforcement, it’s something new and different for my family. I don’t have any other family members who are in the field,” said Officer Brewer, who also was joined by other members of her family and friends, including fellow members from her Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy Class.
“I wanted to choose a profession that my younger brothers could be proud of and look up to. I want to be a mentor to them. While they might not choose to be a police officer when they grow up, I wanted to choose a profession where I can make a difference and help people in the community.”
Mayor Stahler stressed the historical significance of the day for the city, having a female officer join the ranks, and police department representatives also related the department as a whole was pleased to welcome Officer Brewer.
“We are very excited to have her join our staff,” Bellefontaine Police Chief Brandon Standley said. “We’re proud of her accomplishments. In the job that we do, it really it critical for us to have a female officer here.”
“The number of our staff here today shows just how happy we are,” Lt. Rick Herring said of the officers and dispatchers who attended from first, second and third shift alike for the swearing-in ceremony.
Chief Standley while the department has had several female applicants for open police officer positions in recent years, Officer Brewer was the first applicant to make it through the lengthy process involving multiple steps, from interviews to physical fitness and extensive background checks.
“Our testing process is several months long for applicants; it is meticulous,” he said. “She has accomplished all of those steps and is now a valued member of our department.”
Officer Brewer said she grew up in Columbus and her family moved to the Springfield area in recent years. Following her high school graduation, she worked at a bank for about three years, which also influenced her career change.
“A number of my clients at the bank were police officers, and I began learning more about the job from them,” she said.
The new officer graduated from the Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy at Clark State College in December and also passed her state exam Jan. 21.
“On Monday, she’ll begin her duties, and will complete field training before she is eventually turned loose out on her own. She will be learning a whole new city, but she has a good head on her shoulders and is a quick learner,” Chief Standley said.