CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The newest members of the Charleston Police Department have familiar last names.
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones swore-in officers Travis Bailes and Seth Johnson to the force Thursday morning. Bailes is the son of Dunbar Police Chief Jess Bailes and Johnson the son of Charleston Lt. Eric Johnson.
“Having police officer fathers–that could give them additional insight into law enforcement that others may not see,” Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster said.
Both have also previously been police officers. Bailes is coming from the South Charleston Police Department and Johnson from the police force in Ripley.
“They both earned it and we just look forward to them using their prior experience to help us and the citizens,” Webster said.
The two have already completed training at the State Police Academy in their previous positions so they can immediately join the department’s field unit where they will train with a veteran officer for 16 weeks.
Webster said there remain seven vacancies in the department. He said one will be filled next week with hopes of six more spots being filled later this year.