BUCKHANNON — The City of Buckhannon’s newest law enforcement officer took his official oath of duty at Buckhannon City Council’s Thursday meeting.

Mayor David McCauley swore Collin Cope in as the newest addition to the Buckhannon City Police Department, bringing the number back up to 11. Cope replaces former officer Sammy Criss following his resignation.

Police chief Matt Gregory said Cope would be going through the orientation process and reviewing policies and procedures prior to traveling to the West Virginia State Police Academy.

“We’ve already got the paperwork together [for the police academy],” Gregory said. “We anticipate getting that out next week, and hopefully having a slot for him in July at the (W.Va.) State Police Academy.”

The police academy is a 16-week program from which participants graduate at its conclusion.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, city officials honored longtime Buckhannon Waste Department employee Dave Roby Day with a recognition of service proclamation that declared April 4 to be Dave Roby Day.

Roby, who has been employed with the city’s Waste Department since 2001, continuously displayed a “work ethic beyond reproach,” McCauley said.

Roby’s retirement was effective at the end of March.