The Apopka Police Department and Chief Michael McKinley swore in two new officers at City Hall in front of friends, family and elected officials on Monday.
The APD is facing the problem of being understaffed due to population growth within the CIty. McKinley said that the current number of officers stands at 112 and that they are authorized a total of 132 sworn officers.
Before beginning the ceremony, McKinley talked a little about his history in the field of law enforcement and said for 40 years he’s been policing in one way or another. For 32 years he worked for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and has lived in Orange Country his entire life. The past 25 years though, McKinley has lived in Apopka and when he retired from his job with the OCSO, he came to work for the APD.
“…At the Sheriff’s Office we served 1.2 million people, so you really didn’t get that connection with the community like we get here with our 58,000 residents that we have in the City of Apopka and they support us, they help us,” McKinley said.
Two young men repeated the Oath of Office after McKinley and these words began the new officer’s career in law enforcement. McKinley then asked a family member of each officer to come up to pin their badge to their uniform. Both officer’s proud fathers stepped up for the honor of finalizing the ceremony.
First up was 22-year-old Officer Dalton Whigham, an Orlando native and grew up in Tavares and graduated from the Police Academy at Lake Tech College of Public Safety in 2022. He said his reason for becoming a police officer was to help the community. He also hopes to one day become a K9 handler.
Second in line was 20-year-old Officer Matthew Baker who grew up in Lake Worth and graduated earlier this year from the Police Academy at Palm Beach State College after receiving an Associate of Arts Criminal Justice degree. Baker said that he chose a career in law enforcement because he wanted to follow in his father and brother’s footsteps who have also dedicated their careers to public service, specifically as a firefighter and paramedic.
Receiving a round of applause with smiles going all around the room the two young men officially became police officers. Before everyone walked out the door, elected officials were asked to say a few words and proceeded to verbalize their appreciation.
“Our Commissioners and our Mayor, our whole city council. they support us,” McKinley said. “We’re making sure that our pay is competitive with the surrounding areas, surrounding agencies, benefits, special retirement system bar none but you know without the support of our Mayor and Commissioners we couldn’t be where we’re at.”
City Commissioner Nick Nesta said, in regard to the budget, that the reason they allocate the amount of money they do to the APD is for officer and resident safety.
City Commissioner Diane Velazquez, a former NYPD detective, understands what it means to police officers to feel safe when they are on the clock. She said that they will provide the department with what they need, such as resources and equipment, for the very reason of bolstering they safety of all Apopkans, officers included.
Mayor Bryan Nelson spoke last and said that although the job of a police officer is demanding that they would have the full backing from Apopka’s community. He said that the City supports their police officers unlike a lot of other cities in the U.S.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for you guys to come into the City of Apopka but it’s also a great responsibility,” Nelson said.
McKinley closed out the ceremony and said that anyone can apply to the APD but that not everyone will be hired. He said that the applicants must be vetted by many of the credentialed employees within the APD and that he is the final hurdle those applicants must face.
