Sandy's police force at full staff

Newest officer hired began training Monday at Oregon law enforcement academy

By Jim Hart

The Sandy Post, Nov 17, 2009

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Besides the training aspect of his new career, Craven loves the idea of investigating the unknown. Let’s just say he’s curious and wants answers.

“This is about the need to look into what’s going on around you,” he said. “A lot of law enforcement, as I see it, is proactive.”

He called it a challenge to find out who is involved in illegal activity and prevent it from happening again.

He’s looking forward to four months of full-time attendance at the law enforcement academy near Salem. He begins that part of his training Monday, Nov. 16.

Of special interest is firearm training, since he is a hunter and already has some knowledge.

“This (training) should broaden an area of my expertise,” he said.

When he returns to Sandy next spring, he’ll begin four months of field training, which involves ride-alongs with training officers, before he is allowed to serve alone.

According to Police Chief Harold Skelton, Craven received high praise after the exhaustive testing, which included general knowledge, physical, reasoning, comprehension, psychological, face-to-face verbal questioning and background checks.

Craven is looking forward to living in the Sandy area, and should be looking for a home in March or April – as soon as he graduates from the academy.

“It seems like this is a good community,” he said.

“I have always liked this area. I grew up less than 10 miles from here, and I like a lot of outdoor stuff. I like being outside of Portland; I don’t like the big city.”

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