Five new officers sworn in for Elyria Police Department

ELYRIA — Five new officers will be joining the Elyria Police Department in the next several months after being sworn in on Tuesday. That brings the department's total numbers up to 85 officers. It's authorized for 102. The new police officers are Shelbie Leeper, Joanna Catalano, Alycia Kopronica, Justin Campana and Austin Helmink. Two of the officers, Helmink, 25, and Catalano, 22, still have to go through the Lorain County Community College Police Academy beginning Monday. The program lasts for about three months. Campana, 25, will graduate from the Cuyahoga County Community College Police Academy in March. Leeper, 25, and Kopronica, 24, graduated from LCCC's Police Academy and will begin the orientation process before going into the field training program. Police Chief Duane Whitely told the officers that the hardest part is yet to come as they start their careers at the department. "The FTO program is hard," Whitely said. "It's probably one of the hardest around. It's that way for a purpose. We want our officers to be prepared when they're on their own. We don't want them to be unsure of themselves and what to do." Elyria police last swore in three officers in July. At that time, the department had 84 police officers. Because multiple officers were hired in the early 1990s, many are now becoming retirement-eligible. Most recently, Officer Jay Loesch retired from Elyria police after 25 years. Mayor Frank Whitfield administered the oath of office to the five new officers. He thanked them for their willingness to serve. "I commend you for your courage," Whitfield said. "To be willing to run toward danger and to help make this city safer. I invite you to join with me on this journey as we hope to make this city a safe city but also invite me on this journey as we look to build relationships between police and community and we have that true trust and bond between residents and law enforcement." Many family members were present to watch their loved ones swear to serve and protect. Whitely said family will become important when the new officers need strength and encouragement. "They're going to have rough days," Whitely said. "We all did. And when they do, they're going to need to lean on somebody. Typically, that's going to be family. ... It's going to be tough, but we think they have it takes to get through the program." Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com. Follow her on Twitter @MissLainaMae.