Mount Vernon Inducts 15 Probationary Officers

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. – The Mount Vernon Police Department inducted 15  probationary officers in a ceremony Friday morning at City Hall.

“I’ve wanted to be a police officer my whole life, because that’s what my father did for a living,” said new officer Frank Hrotko, 21. “I expect the best from myself, and I think this job will make me a better person going forward.”

Mayor Ernie Davis said Mount Vernon has produced the best police officers in the country and that having officers of all ethnic backgrounds reflects Mount Vernon's diversity.

“We take pride in that diversity,” Davis said. “It’s less than 1 percent of our population that causes problems here, and it gets magnified. We need balance, which these young men and women will provide.”

City Council President Roberta Apuzzo thanked the new officers for dedicating themselves to the city. Apuzzo said she hopes as they will continue to serve in Mount Vernon as their careers progress.

“We thank your mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters as well, who will worry every day about their loved ones,” Apuzzo said. “I encourage you all to go speak with the community so you can gain the respect that all police officers deserve.”

The probationary officers now head to the Westchester County Police Academy in Valhalla. Sgt. Robert Scott said the academy runs 20 weeks, and that probationary officers become full-fledged members of the force once they complete the academy and serve 18 months as a police officer in the city.

The probationary officers are Pedro Abreu, Allison Allen, Nigel Butler, Janpierre Chavez, Michael Consilvio, David DiBenedetto, Jessie Ferreria, Baldwin Firpo, Michael Fox, James Hanlon, Frank Hrotko, Christopher Jones, Maria Pacino, Alicia Rodriguez and George Vargas.

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