 |
| Patricia Harris |
 |
| Joshua Cardenas |
Last week, new officers Patricia Harris and Joshua Cardenas officially joined the Westland Police Department. Harris, who grew up in Brownstown Township, said she always wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement and finally decided to chase her dream in 2020 when she joined the Detroit Police Department where she served for two years before joining Westland. Cardenas was born and raised in the small west Michigan town of Dorr, and obtained an associate's degree in applied sciences from Grand Rapids Community College, and is a graduate of the Grand Valley State University Police Academy.
He started his law enforcement career in 2018 with Roosevelt Park and then Waterford Township. While in Waterford Township he was a field training officer, use of force instructor and an instructor in rifle, taser and firearms. Westland officials noted that currently all law enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit and hire officers and there are simply more openings than interested candidates. “The city is very happy to be able to swear in two quality and experienced police officers to join the Westland Police Department which has nearly 56 years of tradition and a proud history which includes more than 300 men and women who have taken the oath to serve and protect our community,” they said.
