New officer joins APD

JARRET MCDANIEL

The Anderson Police Department welcomed Jarrett McDaniel, 30, into its ranks as its newest officer Jan. 5. The APD hired McDaniel after the retirement of officer Tim York in July, 2008.

While the APD employs 18 officers, two officer positions are to remain open "until the economy turns around," APD Captain Robert Kirvin said.

McDaniel said he cashed in his retirement fund from his previous employer to pay for his education at Butte Law Enforcement Academy. The 23-week course inundated McDaniel with information to do the job.

"It was unnerving at first," he said. "They have a feed-you-with-a-fire-hose mentality."

At the same time, McDaniel acknowledged that he still has much to learn from his peers at the APD.

"It first hit me when I was in the academy," he said. "It's amazing the amount of regulation that goes into this job: policies and procedures and keeping up with case laws."

Entry into law enforcement had been a life-long dream for McDaniel, as both his parents, grandfather and father-in-law served as officers in Shasta County.

Born and raised in the Redding area, McDaniel said he enjoys fishing and hunting in the area, as well as traveling to the coast for camping with his wife and daughter.

But for the next 14 to 16 weeks, McDaniel expects to be busy field training with the APD.

"I'm looking forward to making a difference in the community," he said, "and making it a safer place for people to live here."