The McCleary Police Department announced a new officer during the city council meeting on Oct. 26.

Officer Chad Sample joined the department earlier that day.

Prior to the McCleary Police Department, Sample, an Army veteran, was working at The Evergreen State College. He began his police career at National City, Calif., near the international border with Mexico, after leaving the Army in 2006.

“I had a friend who was working as a deputy in Chelan County and I came up to visit him a couple times and I decided I like the state of Washington and started applying. Evergreen hired me, so I moved up there, and I started looking around further and found the city of McCleary,” Sample said.

Chief George Crumb said he was excited to have a new officer.

“It’s a breath of fresh air, and it’s been really exciting working with him and getting him ready here,” Crumb said. “I think he’ll be a good asset for us here.”