On Sept. 24 Matt Bell graduated from the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training 14-week academy in Ada. He had earned his law enforcement certification. The next day he hit the streets as Ardmore Police Department’s newest officer.
For the next three months, Bell will be participating in APD’s Field Training Program. He will work alongside of the field training officers he is assigned to, starting with Officer West Choate. At the end of the program, Chief David Leonardo says Bell will be going “solo” as a full-fledged member of the patrol division.
“We are pleased to welcome Matt as our newest police officer,” Leonardo said. “He is anxious to get to work, and we are glad to have him join us.”
A Kansas, Okla. native, Bell said he had been “turning wrenches” at an Ardmore car dealership, when he decided to apply for a job as an Ardmore police officer.
“Being a police officer is something I’ve always wanted to do and I was ready to do something different with my life,” he said.
Bell said his goal as an officer is, “to make a difference in people’s lives.” And that goal has both a professional and personal aim. Professionally he wants to serve the citizens of Ardmore and improve and enhance the lives of those people he comes into contact with.
Personally Bell said, “I want to leave behind a legacy for my children. When I’m gone I want them to have good thoughts about me and not think I could have done more with my life.”
Bell and his wife, Sarah, live in Ardmore with their two sons, ages 5 and 2.
Marsha Miller 221-6529
marsha.miller@ardmoreite.com
