Moline swears in two new police officers; chief highlights recruiting challenges

The Moline City Council on March 4 administered the oath of office to two newly commissioned police officers, Ryan Rojas and Cooper Sanamore, effective Feb. 28, 2025.

Why it matters: The sworn appointments add to the Des Moines (Moline) Police Department’s patrol staffing as the department continues recruitment to address staffing shortages reported since 2020.

Chief (police) introduced the officers and described recruitment difficulties the department has faced since 2020, calling officer appointments “one of the highlights” of presenting to the council.

Ryan Rojas • Background reported by the chief: A native of Moline, Rojas attended Allman High School and later Western Illinois University in Macomb, where he earned a degree in law enforcement/justice administration. He completed the Police Training Institute in Champaign and has served on multiple shifts; staff indicated he has been assigned to solo third-shift patrol and is scheduled to move to second shift in April. Rojas’s parents, Lori and Rod, attended the ceremony.

Cooper Sanamore • Background reported by the chief: Also a Moline native and a graduate of Moline High School, Sanamore earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Ambrose University and previously worked about five years in correctional roles at Newton Correctional Facility and the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. Staff said Sanamore was hired in August 2023 alongside Rojas; his wife Amanda was unable to attend because she was caring for their infant son, Sawyer.

The oath recited includes commitments to support the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and to adhere to the compiled statutes of Illinois and the Moline Code of Ordinances. The council and chief invited family and guests forward for photographs and congratulated the officers.

Sources: Oaths and biographical remarks as recorded in the March 4, 2025 council meeting transcript.