Beachwood swears in patrol officer Jeffrey Garcia as department emphasizes character and training

Council President opened the Feb. 18 meeting and introduced the first order of business: the administration of the oath of office to newly hired patrol officer Jeffrey Garcia.

Police Chief (identified in the meeting as the department chief) told the council and audience that Garcia served 10 years with the City of Brunswick, earned a bachelor's degree in political science and criminal justice from the University of Akron and has 15 years of service in the Ohio Army National Guard including a tour in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The chief said Garcia's background, low sick-time usage during caregiving for a family member and described personal qualities — leadership, dependability and dedication to family — convinced department leadership he was a strong hire.

Jeffrey Garcia was sworn in by the mayor and completed the oath promising to support the U.S. and Ohio constitutions and the charter and ordinances of the city of Beachwood while discharging the duties of police patrol officer.

The chief used the occasion to outline the department's expectations, referencing the department patch symbolism for guardianship, training and procedural justice, and said the department is focused on building — and maintaining — high-quality police service for the community. The mayor and council members in attendance welcomed Garcia and invited attendees to a reception in the lobby for the new officer.

Council did not take additional action on the hire at the meeting; no contested or disciplinary matters were discussed during the swearing-in.