North Belle Vernon: Council approves adding 2 part-time police officers

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Two new part-time officers will soon begin patrolling in North Belle Vernon.

This week, council unanimously approved a motion to hire two part-time police officers, Kolton E. Ramsdell and Benjamin J. Baldwin.

Baldwin, who already works as an officer in a neighboring municipality, will immediately join the force, which is made up of several other part-timers and two full-time officers. 

Ramsdell has to pass his final exam at the police academy before he will officially be able to begin training, but he is not new to the borough. He is an active member of the North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department. 

Councilman and Public Safety Chair Geoffrey DeWitt said the new hires will provide needed help with covering shifts.

“Hopefully we will get some years and some needed shifts out of these guys,” he said.

Mayor Craig Ambrose said he can’t ever recall the borough having someone serve in both the police department and fire service, but sees it as an asset. 

“He will need to learn about the policing some, but being that he is a firefighter here he will already be familiar with the area and know the streets,” Ambrose said.

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