The Glen Cove Police Department got closer to full strength Tuesday as three new members were approved for hire by the Glen Cove City Council.
"This seems like a focused group," said Police Chief William Whitton. "They seem like good candidates. They each have the aptitude to succeed."
Peter Michaleas, Alexandra Syder and William Telese received well-wishes from Council members as their family members looked on. Michaleas and Syder begin eight months of training at the Nassau County Police Academy Monday.
Telese comes from the New York Police Department and will be trained by Glen Cove Police.
Michaleas was formerly a special education teacher in the Locust Valley School District and Syder comes from the business field.
Syder will bring the department's number of female officers to two. One woman retired in 2012.
The hires bring the force's strength to 47 members. The department has been low on personnel after 12 retirements in the last year. Whitton said the ideal total is between 53 and 55 members.
"We still need to rebuild, but every person we get assists in our day-to-day operations," Whitton said.
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