Two new Plant City Police Department (PCPD) Officers Michael Leon and Patrick Theodore were ceremoniously sworn in at Police Headquarters on Dec. 22.
Leon, 29, graduated from Hillsborough Community College’s Law Enforcement Training Academy and worked as a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy before joining PCPD.
“Ever since I was young I wanted to be a police officer,” said Leon. “I really like helping people and doing different things every day to keep me engaged.”
Theodore, 23, a Miami native, was also drawn to law enforcement at a young age. “In middle school, my math teacher asked me what I wanted to do in life and I said I wanted to be a police officer,” he said. “She believed in me and to have that support was awesome.”
His teacher told his mother, who searched for opportunities to make his dream a reality. He applied and was accepted into Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School’s Homeland Security magnet program. He also participated in Miami-Dade’s Police Explorer Program then joined the City of Tampa’s Police Explorers Program after moving to Hillsborough County in 2018.
Theodore wanted to move back to Miami after graduating from high school in 2019 so he could work for the Miami Police Department, where the minimum applicant age is 19 (the minimum age in Tampa and Hillsborough County is 21), but his mother encouraged him to become a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy, which has a minimum applicant age of 19. He worked as a HCSO patrol officer before joining PCPD, where he said he quickly felt at home. “When you’re here it doesn’t feel like you’re another number, everyone knows you by name and face,” he said. “It feels welcoming and it feels right.”
Both officers will complete a field training program, where they will be paired with Field Training Officers and, while working day and night shifts, will receive additional training and evaluations to ensure the officers will be prepared to assume the complex role of police officer.
“Our two new police officers are embarking on their police careers with a sense of dedication and commitment to serve and protect their community,” said PCPD Chief James Bradford. “They are ready to face the challenges and uphold the values of justice and service.”
The police department still has five vacancies. “Interested persons can visit the City of Plant City’s website and click on the ‘Careers’ tab to find the job posting for Police Officer along with information about qualifications and how to apply,” said Al Van Duyne.
To learn more visit plantcitygov.com.