By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Nov. 19, 2020) Patrolman First Class Anthony Rhode began his first shift in Berlin last Monday after meeting the Berlin Mayor and Council.

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Patrolman First Class Anthony Rhode met the Berlin Mayor and Council last Monday before his first night shift as a full-time employee of the Berlin Police Department. Pictured, from left, are Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing, Mayor Zackery Tyndall and Rhode.

Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing introduced Rhode to the council during its semimonthly meeting.

Rhode is a Marine Corps veteran and has been a certified police officer for 13 years. He came to the Berlin Police Department from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

“I like the town, and from past experience working with members of the Berlin Police Department, everyone has nothing but good things to say about the leadership,” Rhode said last Tuesday.

Rhode is from Worcester County and lives in the Berlin area. He is also an alumnus from Stephen Decatur High School.

“We’re proud to go ahead and have him as part of the Berlin Police Department,” Downing said last Monday. “He just completed his acclimation period.”

Responding to Mayor Zack Tyndall last Monday, Rhode said he completed 80 hours of field training lateral with a certified field training officer.

Lt. Robert Fisher described the program as “the training and evaluation of a Maryland certified officer transitioning to the agency.”

The training consisted of the review of the Berlin Police Department policies, Berlin’s Town Code, the boundaries of the town, the equipment used by the agency and review of items in the standard Field Training Officer Task Handbook.

The requirements for entry level applicants and certified officers transitioning to the Berlin Police Department vary.

However, Rhode had to meet criteria for all applicants, including an extensive background check, psychological exam, physical exam, drug test, criminal history, voice stress analysis and driving record.

Field Training Officer applicants are also evaluated on appearance, attitude, knowledge, performance and relationships with citizens, minority groups, supervisors and peers.

In addition, applicants are trained in scenarios or perform 33 categories of tasks, including traffic stops, arrests, responding to crimes in progress and handling evidence. Downing said Rhode completed most of the tasks to become a certified police officer before joining the Berlin Police Department.

Rhode and his peers will soon take a weaponry class. Downing said officers receive annual weaponry training.