Community welcomes new officer to Belvidere Police Department

By Kathryn Menue

EDITOR

On Friday, Jan. 6, the Belvidere Police Department welcomed Officer Cameron D. Worley to the force in a swearing in ceremony set at Belvidere City Hall.

Officer Worley comes to the Belvidere Police Department after completing his criminal justice degree from Western Illinois University and becoming a First Lieutenant in the Army National Guard.

The 10:30 a.m. ceremonial proceedings began with Belvidere Police Chief Jan Noble addressing the audience, but most importantly, by addressing Officer Worley who he said will be joining a strong force backed by great relationships with the sheriff’s department, fire department, and city leaders.

“Not only is this a joyous occasion; it’s a sound occasion,” Chief Noble said.

He then turned the podium over to Belvidere Presbyterian Church Pastor and Police Chaplain Dr. Robert Kopp.

“This is a special day for Cameron, and we should savor it with him as we are reminded of our fraternity dedicated to the health and welfare of Belvidere and Boone County America, and the special qualities required for our ministries of law enforcement and crime prevention,” Dr. Kopp said.

He advised that the makings of a successful officer are ones who take heed of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words that to be a good protector, one must be “as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove.”

With this combination, one is balanced to “put the wolves [or evil-doers] out of business,” Dr. Kopp said.

Chief Noble said the other component to having successful officers in the Belvidere Police Department comes from the supportive collaboration between the department and city council members, like Mayor Mike Chamberlain.

“Congratulations, Cameron,” Mayor Chamberlain said. “It’s wonderful to see you surrounded by your family. This is a good day in your life and a good day in our lives too.”

As Mayor Chamberlain stepped aside, Officer Worley approached the podium to recite his swearing-in oath as directed by City Clerk Shauna Arco.

Afterward, Officer Worley’s future father-in-law pinned the #412 badge onto his future son-in-law.

“I want to thank Belvidere for giving me the chance to live the dream I’ve had ever since I was a little kid,” Officer Worley said.

Deputy Chief Tony Martin oversaw Officer Worley’s recruiting process, which included narrowing down 126 applicants to 34, and then conducting fitness, psychological, written, medical, oral, and polygraph tests.

Officer Worley passed all of these exams to attend the Police Training Institute in Champaign, Ill. starting on Monday, Jan. 9.

After his 12 weeks of training is complete, he will return to Belvidere where he will have four months of field training, followed by an overall review. When he passes, he will move onto solo patrol.

“Then, you’re off on your own, and life is good,” Deputy Chief Martin said.

Life will be good for Officer Worley, because the Belvidere Police Department and the Boone County community ensure that public service personnel are treated justly.

“We have a lot of folks here that have come to celebrate you today, and that’s because we are all one big family,” Deputy Chief Martin said, as he pointed out over 30 friends, family members, community members, city officials, fellow officers, and firefighters who came out to support Officer Worley. “I’d like to welcome you to our family.”

About the Belvidere Police Department

“It is the mission of the Belvidere Police Department to provide a safe living, learning, and working environment to all citizens and visitors to the City of Belvidere.

The members of the Belvidere Police Department will work with all person(s) or groups to enforce, educate, and assist in the prosecution of all violations of laws and ordinances to assure these safe environments.”

The Belvidere Police Department is located at 615 N. Main St. in Belvidere.

The nonemergency number for the police department is (815) 544-9626. Or, to report a crime anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (815) 547-7867.