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Covington, Ky. – Mason Arnold, a cadet with the Covington Police Department, has transitioned from learning the ropes to becoming an official recruit. Over the past year, Arnold gained practical experience by completing police reports, managing radio traffic, and patrolling city streets.
On Monday, Arnold was formally sworn in as the department's newest recruit by Mayor Ron Washington. This ceremony marked the first oath of office administered by Washington since he assumed his mayoral duties. Reflecting on his own experience as a young officer in Florence, Washington emphasized the significance of the oath: “I don’t think there’s anything more sacred than the oath you’re going to be taking.”
Washington acknowledged both challenges and rewards associated with law enforcement work: “You help a lot of people, and a lot of people will look to him for guidance and help.” He stressed that representing Covington's diverse community is crucial for any officer.
Arnold expressed his longstanding ambition to join law enforcement: “During my senior year of high school, I decided I wanted to be a police officer,” he said. The profession runs in his family, many of whom serve in Covington.
Police Chief Brian Valenti praised Arnold's progression through the cadet program: “The cadet program is so good for us,” Valenti stated. He highlighted its value in providing field experience and evaluating potential officers.
The Police Cadet Program requires 18 months of training within the department. Cadets learn various laws and gain foundational knowledge through different methods including observation and independent study.
Arnold is set to graduate from Gateway Community and Technical College with an associate degree in science this June before attending the Police Academy at Richmond's Department of Criminal Justice Training.
