Three officers promoted at Wetumpka Police Department

Three Wetumpka police officers will have more responsibilities after recent promotions.

Current Wetumpka police chief Ed Reeves was on the force as assistant chief in May when Greg Benton retired. The promotion set into motion a series of open slots for officers to move up the ranks. Nick Betts was promoted to assistant chief.

“We got putting things together and working it like we needed to,” Reeves said. “We saw real quick we needed help. So at that point, we decided we needed a major to be our right hand, more or less get a lot of the work done for us that we needed.”

Reeves announced Josh Barfoot as the new department’s new major. He got his start in law enforcement in Wetumpka almost 15 years ago.

“I worked patrol for several years, then general crimes, major crimes and back to patrol,” Barfoot said. 

He brings years of experience to the table to aid Reeves and Betts on a day-to-day basis working in operations and personnel issues.

“I just want to make the place as good as it can be and take care of the next generation of law enforcement,” Barfoot said.

More slots became available as officers were promoted or retired but the promotions didn’t come easy. Reeves announced two patrol officers, Cameron Ricks and Jacob Wood were promoted to corporal. 

“It’s the most important promotion they will ever receive,” Reeves said. “It’s their first step into leadership. It’s a big step but I’m confident they will get adjusted to the new role.”

Reeves said the officers under Ricks and Wood will be mentored and taught by the new corporals. 

“They know the right way because they answered all the questions right on the test,” Reeves said. “We want them to lead and guide these officers. Teach them to do right.”

Ricks went to Faulkner University before becoming a correctional officer in the Elmore County Jail. Wetumpka sent him to the police academy and he has been patrolling the streets of Wetumpka for the last two and half years.

“It feels good to take this next step,” Ricks said. “Hopefully I can be a  part of making sure officers that came in after me learn how to do things the right way.”

Ricks sees himself staying with WPD and hopefully moving up the ranks.

Wood got his start with WPD as well patrolling the streets of Wetumpka after the police academy about three years ago.

“I just want to do my job well,” Wood said. “I want to be able to help other officers where I can to make sure the community is safe for all.”

Families were on hand at a small promotion ceremony to pin new badges on the promoted officers.

“I hope they are as proud of them as I am,” Reeves said.