Office Of The Mayor
Thomas M. McMahon


PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For More Information:
Ginny Hand , 610-655-6234

Mayor Tom McMahon And Chief Of Police William Heim Welcome New Police Recruits To Reading

July 9, 2007: Mayor Tom McMahon of the City of Reading and Chief William H. Heim welcomed ten new Reading Police Department trainees at the Reading Police Academy at Alvernia College today. These trainees, along with 18 other academy trainees comprise the class of 2007 at the academy. The Reading Police Department has a total of twelve new hires, two of whom went automatically to field training, as they had previously completed the academy course.

Mayor McMahon remarked “we are pleased to welcome these new police officer trainees to the City. Their hiring completes the eligibility process for Governor Rendell’s Police on Patrol program, giving the City supplemental funding of $50,000 per year for five officers for three years. We appreciate the Commonwealth’s assistance in helping us get more police officers on the street.”

Police Chief William Heim commented that “with these new recruits starting to patrol Reading in the early part of 2008, the Department will increase to 215 officers. This will enable us to further implement crime reduction activities.”

One of the new officers is Nathan L. Matz, a Reading resident and graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in Political Science. Nathan left his job as a Lancaster County Adult Parole/Probation Officer to become a Reading Police Officer. “I want to help ensure the safety and security of my community,” he stated.

Additional information on recruitment for the Reading Police Department can be seen on the City of Reading’s website at www.readingpa.gov or by calling Sgt. Felix Mateo at the Crime Prevention and Recruitment Office at 610-655-6346.