By Stephen Nelson
The Kankakee City Council was introduced to four new police officers at its May 15 meeting who officially began their jobs on the same day. They are Mikayla Cole, 23, of Bourbonnais; Jerrell White, 32, of LaSalle; Jacob Ross, 23, of Bradley; and Robert Bass, 33, of New Lenox. All completed police academy training this year, and all are rookie officers.
Kankakee Police Chief Robin Passwater said this was the most hires at one time for his department in at least 15 years. When asked why Kankakee was having great success at hiring officers at a time when many departments across the U.S. are experiencing staffing shortages, Passwater said, “It is difficult for a department his size to get recruits, but the word is out this is a great place to work, and there are many younger officers already on staff increasing the likelihood of positive interaction.”