ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY JULIE ANDERSON
Mark Anderson, Newton, joined the Peabody Police Department as a part-time officer three weeks ago.
Anderson, a graduate of Peabody-Burns High School, attended Highland Community College for a year before transferring to Butler County Community College, where he received an associate?s degree in administration of justice in December 1999.
?I?m just kind of getting my feet wet,? Anderson said. ?It?s something that has always interested me.?
His goal is to see the community continue to grow in the involvement to maintain a safe, secure, hometown environment.
Currently, Anderson is working with Officer Johnny Sanko.
He said his most exciting experience occurred on his second day on the job, when the department received a call to assist Harvey County on a possible intoxicated driver. Anderson got to ride along and said they were going 120 to 130 mph down the highway.
He also got to help serve a warrant and has visited the Marion County Jail.
Mainly, Anderson has been doing a lot of training, including firearms and handcuff training. He also has to qualify on the shooting range.
?It?s a lot different getting out and doing the things we learned in class,? Anderson said. ?I hope to gain the most experience possible and really get a feel for what it is actually like to be a police officer.?
Anderson chose Peabody because there was a position available and he was familiar with the area.
He said he likes it because it is a small town where he knows everybody and what is going on.
Anderson will attend a part-time academy in Salina to become certified to work as a part-time officer.
Peabody Police Dept. adds part-time officer
