More officers to patrol Pueblo streets

The Pueblo Police Department has received more officers Friday.

13 new police officers graduated from the Pueblo Police Department’s Law Enforcement Academy.

For Officer Michael Bellamy, he shared a special moment with his son at the ceremony.

“To have him come up and actually put my badge on, it’s something that I will never forget, and something that he will never forget,” he said.

The officers will soon hit the streets for four months of patrol training.

Police Chief Luis Velez said the additional officers come at the right time as the department faces manpower issues and a rise in gang activity.

“It will help us in our calls for service. It will be safer for the officers that are on the street. All of those things taken into account bodes well for the Pueblo Police Department,” he said.

Officer Chris Scoggins said he’s ready to go above and beyond to keep Pueblo safe.

“We are fully prepared to meet that, because our country and our people are worth that kind of sacrifice and dedication,” he said.

The City of Pueblo has already budgeted to have seven more police officers join the force next year.

Officers also wore black bands over their badges in memory of fallen UCCS Officer Garrett Swasey.