University police department welcomes new officers

Four new officers joined the ranks of the Radford University Police Department at a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Hurlburt Student Center. 

Flanked at the event by family and friends, they took their oaths under Chief Eric Plummer and received their badges.

"You have taken a step forward to serve and protect our community as police officers, and for that I am proud to welcome you into our Radford family as role models," Plummer told them. 

Together, they bring the department staff's total to 25 members. 

The new officers include: 

• Christopher Dishon, from Radford; a graduate of Radford High School, Dishon previously worked for the Radford Sheriff's Office.
• Aidan Giannecchini, from Christiansburg, graduated from Christiansburg High School; Giannecchini is a former employee of the Virginia Department of Transportation.
• Tyler Patteson grew up on a farm in Narrows and is a graduate of Narrows High School.
• Whitney Shaffner, of Galax, graduated from Galax High School.

Plummer said during the ceremony that his department’s objective is to help Radford University’s students, staff, faculty and visitors stay safe.

“We complete our mission by adhering to our core values of integrity, courtesy, service and professionalism," Plummer said. "These values are embodied in each of our officers who have been chosen to protect our community." 

From January until June, the four new officers will be attending a basic law enforcement training course at the New River Criminal Justice Training Academy in Dublin.