UMATILLA — Two officers on April 1 joined the Umatilla Police Department.

Officers Trenton “TJ” Smith and Anthony Garcilazo took their oaths of office and were introduced during a city council meeting April 2. According to a press release announcing the new hires, Police Chief Ron Bridge said the hiring process is about more than simply filling positions.

“It is about entrusting guardians of safety, stewards of justice, and pillars of community trust,” he said in the release. “Each recruit embodies the promise of a safer, more equitable tomorrow.”

The release said the two recruits bring “an array of skills and a commitment to serving with compassion and respect” to their new roles.

As the Umatilla Police Department adds new faces, it also will say goodbye to a familiar one. Officer Steve Vandever will retire April 15 after 18 years of service to the community.

A diverse range of roles and responsibilities have marked Vandever’s career, showcasing his versatility and dedication, the announcement said.

He has served as a detective, a firearms instructor and a field training officer, demonstrating his proficiency in various facets of law enforcement. Prior to joining the police department, Vandever served as an assistant fire chief with the Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District, highlighting his unwavering commitment to public service.

“As officer Vandever retires from his badge, he will carry with him a legacy of courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication,” Bridge said. “His service echoes in the hearts of those who he has protected and the community he has served. The Umatilla Police Department wishes him the best luck in his next adventure.”