California Police Department again at full-staff

California Police Officer Daniel Hurt, right, is sworn in Jan. 9, 2017, by City Clerk Brian Scrivner in the California City Hall public meeting room.
California Police Officer Daniel Hurt, right, is sworn in Jan. 9, 2017, by City Clerk Brian Scrivner in the California City Hall public meeting room.

The swearing in of new full-time police officer Daniel Hurt brings the California Police Department to eight officers.

The newest officer, sworn in Jan. 9, who has resided in the Centertown area for many years, got into law enforcement in his late 30s. "It's something I've always wanted to do," Hurt said. "I enjoy working with and trying to help the public."

He entered law enforcement in 2011 when he began serving with the Cole County Sheriff's Department. He graduated from the Missouri Sheriff's Association Training Academy in 2013 and began as a deputy with the Moniteau County Sheriff's Department in December 2014.

An opportunity came to apply for a position with the California Police Department. Hurt applied and was accepted. "When I decided to work for the California Police Department, I feel like I was being given an opportunity," he said. "It's the first time I've worked for a city."

The department offers several services for the community in addition to regular policing. Project Night Eyes, Business Watch and Vacation Watch are three of these. Other services offered include a MedReturn box in the office for collection of outdated or unneeded prescription medications, training classes for local, private and government organizations and a system for business security update emails.

The police department is in the California City Hall building .