12-02-2025
Swearing in ceremony for two new Carthage police officers.
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage Police Department welcomes two new hires.
During a swearing-in ceremony held at Tuesday's (2/11) Carthage City Council meeting, Ryan Wagoner and Hailey Criqui took the officer's oath.
They were sworn in by City Clerk, Miranda Deal. After being sworn in, Police Chief, Bill Hawkins introduced the department's newest patrol officers.
For the next several months, the newly hired officers are under the supervision of a field training officer.
Both have served in law enforcement prior to joining Carthage. Ryan previously worked at the Newton County Jail. Hailey worked as a corrections officer at the Barry County Jail.
She's hoping to one day become a K-9 handler for the Carthage Police Department.
'Right now, we don't have any K-9 units, I don't know what chief wants to do with that, if he does at all. I know we have other K-9 units with different places, but I'm hoping at one point that will get implemented, so that's something I want to do,' said Criqui.
'I'm a longevity type of person, so the longevity of the Carthage Police Department is there. There are multiple opportunities for me. If I want to go to a certain place in the department, it's there. From day-to-day I can see doing this until I retire,' said Wagoner.
The Carthage Police Department now has 31 sworn officers.
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