Kennett Square Borough welcomed two new full-time police officers, Mark Todd and George Carlson, to fill two of the three vacancies that have existed in the police department.

Mayor Matthew Fetick explained at the Feb. 16 council meeting that Todd and Carlson submitted their letters of application in October and November of 2013, an indication of just how thorough the process is to hire new police officers. Fetick explained that the Civil Service Commission oversees the screening process to make sure that new officers meet all the requirements to be hired. The screening process includes a physical exam, a written test, a polygraph test, background checks, and a drug test.

Todd and Carlson both come to Kennett Square with a strong background in local law enforcement. Police Chief Edward Zunino talked about the new officers’ experiences in law enforcement.

Todd is a 2005 graduate of Oxford Area High School. He went on to graduate from the State Police Academy in 2009. He worked part-time for the police departments in West Nottingham, West Fallowfield, and then Oxford.

Carlson is a 2002 graduate of Octorara High School. He studied criminal justice at West Chester University and Penn State University. He has worked for the police departments in West Grove and Coatesville on a part-time basis.

Fetick administered the oath of office to the two new police officers. He also talked about how the Kennett Square Police Department is pleased to hire them.

“They were our first choices, and we're glad that they can serve,” Fetick said. “We are excited to have them. We think they will be a great addition to the police department.”

Fetick noted that two of the vacancies in the police department exist because two former police officers in the department earned positions with the Chester County District Attorney’s office.