Reserve Officer Riley Hall, left, a former cadet with the Keizer Police Department, and Officer Robert Cheek, formerly of the Wasila, AK Police Department, were sworn in on Tuesday, June 21 at a City Council meeting. (Photo by CHARLES GLENN/Keizertimes)
Two new police officers were sworn-in at the June 21 Keizer City Council meeting, Officer Robert Cheek and Reserve Officer Riley Hall.
Cheek is a lateral hire for Keizer, meaning he won’t have to attend Oregon’s 16-week Police Academy because he has already served four years for the Wasila, Alaska Police Department. Keizer Police Chief John Teague said he was recruited and hired last October and is still required to complete a two-week mini-academy and Keizer’s entire field training program.
Hall, on the other hand, is a former cadet with the KPD and is in the final stages of becoming a full-time professional police officer. He completed the Mid-Valley Reserve Training Academy in early June.
“In Keizer, we look for people who are conscientious, courageous, empathetic and humble,” said Teague as he introduced the two officers. “We have hired two guys who check those boxes and I think you’ll find they’ll be outstanding police officers and will offer a good representation of fairness and justice in policing.”
Teague said Cheek and his wife were traveling through Keizer on a honeymoon road trip and decided to call it home.
“We just brought him on board last week,” said Teague. “We’re delighted to have Robert, here.” Teague added that Cheek is also a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army National Guard.
Teague said Hall, on the other hand, “grew up with us.”
“He was a cadet with us for five years and was just accepted as a reserve officer – we’ll probably see him as a full-timer some day.”