Decatur PD hires new officers, prepares for training

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Decatur Police Department has hired seven new officers and in the coming weeks the focus will be on training.

The new officers will start 16 weeks next Tuesday, September 3. Training takes 16 weeks to complete according to Ed Culp, Director of Training at the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center.

“We put a controlled stress on them mentally and physically because they have to learn how to cope with stress,” Culp told WAND News.

Police Chief Shane Brandel says the training helps officers make split second decisions in stressful situations.

“We want to equip these officers with the best equipment, the best training,” Brandel said. “So, when they are put in those positions they’ll make the right decision and come out on the right side.

Two of the officers are transfers from other departments in Shelbyville and Logan County.