Several new peace officers join Burnet County law enforcement agencies
Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd (center) announced two new deputies, Joshua Bowman (left) and Nikki Whigham, to the agency. Courtesy photo
STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY
GRANITE SHOALS — When Chief Gary Boshears selected his most recent recruit to the Granite Shoals Police Department, he had a clear philosophy in mind.
“We’re looking for someone who is in line with our vision and core values,” he said. “We’re continuing to put together a very professional staff that will provide the citizens of Granite Shoals the highest quality of service.”
On Feb. 5, Boshears and city leaders welcomed Christie Carter to the agency with a public swearing-in ceremony.
“For the public, it’s important because it does give them a chance to recognize there’s a new officer they’re going to be seeing,” he said. “At the same time, (they) get introduced to that person and get to know them a little.”
Carter, who is from Central Texas, graduated in December from the Central Texas College Police Academy in Killeen.
According to her biography, she has prior experience in corrections at the county and state levels and served in the U.S. Army Reserve for about a decade.
Granite Shoals City Secretary Elaine Simpson conducted the swearing-in, while Carter’s young son, Santana, did the honor of pinning on his mother’s badge.
Shortly after, Carter started her orientation week, which includes training in areas such as emergency medical response and de-escalation tactics.
Carter will begin 16-week field training Feb. 12.
“We’re excited to have her on board,” Boshears said.
Other Burnet County area agencies that welcomed new recruits were:
• Burnet County Sheriff’s Office — Deputy Joshua Bowman and Deputy Nikki Whigham, recent graduates of the Central Texas College Police Academy in Killeen, will now begin a four-month comprehensive Field Training Program. Both were sworn in by Sheriff Calvin Boyd in January.
• Marble Falls Police Department — Officer Braiden Garcia and Officer Michael Tutor were recently sworn in to the agency. Garcia was hired from the Dallas Police Department, where he worked for about a year. At the Central Texas College Police Academy, Tutor earned the Academic Honor Graduate Award in his class for his 97.68 percent grade-point average and received the Charles “Chuck” Dinwiddie Top Gun Award for best firearms performance.