The officer who impacted Parker’s life in Rochester “brought me in, showed me opportunities and talked to me about the things I could be doing. I was impressionable at that age and making some decisions I shouldn’t have been making. But this officer definitely changed my path.
“Now I have a criminal justice degree and I’m excited to work with the kids and get involved in the community. I think it’s important for all kids to see someone who looks like them in these jobs.”
Glass said she pursued a policing job in Erie “because I just really want to give back to the community and help Erie, and give back to the PAL program. I also want to be one of those people who has their (fellow) officer’s backs.”
The new officers are the second batch to be hired this year, following the hiring in February of nine officers to fill vacancies in the bureau.
But they are the first of what city police hope are 21 new positions added to the Erie Bureau of Police.
Erie City Council in December unanimously approved a Schember administration plan to use $14.5 million of the city’s American Rescue Plan funding to hire up to 21 additional officers.
Police brass requested the additional officers to enable the bureau to reinstate its juvenile crime detective unit, in response to the rise in juvenile-related crime; to bring back its Crisis Unit, to work with social service and mental health agencies on calls involving mental health and domestic issues and the city’s homeless population; and to add officers to its Neighborhood Action Team and Police Athletic League.