With the hiring of two new police patrol officers, the police department is now up to its full complement of 45 sworn members.

Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia Halstead gave the oath of office to both officers in ceremonies held on October 2 at Newtown Municipal Center.

The Police Commission had made conditional offers of employment to both officers following a 100-minute executive session on September 18. The ensuing hirings were based on the two recruits’ meeting the training requirements of the state’s Municipal Police Academy in Meriden.

In a statement, Police Chief Michael Kehoe said that Officer Stephanie Thibodeau, 24, is a 2012 graduate of Western Connecticut State University.

Ofc Thibodeau earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in justice and law administration.

She previously worked at Kids In Action of New Milford as a child care teacher, and also has worked as a youth counselor. Ofc Thibodeau lives in New Milford.

Officer Fernando Pereira, 23, is a 2014 graduate of Western Connecticut State University.

Ofc Pereira earned his bachelor’s degree with a major in justice and law administration.

He previously worked as a loss prevention specialist with JC Penney, as well as a security guard at Newtown High School. Ofc Pereira lives in Brookfield.

Both officers have started their training at the police academy.

“The department looks forward to adding these two probationary officers with excellent backgrounds and promising futures to the staff of the Newtown Police Department,” Chief Kehoe said.

Following nearly six months of law enforcement training at the academy, the officers would return to Newtown for several months of field training by training officers who accompany them while on patrol.

Following the successful completion of field training, the two new officers would start independent patrol work.

New officers must successfully complete a probationary period to become full patrol officers.

Officers Thibodeau and Pereira were the fifth and sixth officers, respectively, to be hired from a group of about 100 people who took a written test for the post of municipal police officer in June 2013.  

In July, Officer Michael Caramadre was sworn into office. He is now studying law enforcement at the police academy.

Last January, three new officers — Timothy Schoen, Adam James, and William Crone — took their oaths of office. They have been receiving field training in town.

Besides taking written and oral tests, police officer applicants must pass both physical fitness and agility tests.

Potential employees are subject to medical examinations, psychological testing, polygraph tests, and personal background checks.

The lengthy police hiring process is designed to find the people who are best suited for the demands of law enforcement.