The Manassas City Council promoted four police officers to new ranks and welcomed four new hires to the department this week.
On Monday, Manassas Police Chief Doug Keen told council members that four of his officers had achieved new ranks. Keen told council that the department is pretty much fully staff and there is no need for officers to constantly be working overtime.
Manassas Police Sgt. Stephanie Morbeto, who joined the agency in 2001, rose to the rank of lieutenant and will be working in planning and resource management. She was named Officer of the Year in 2011.
Manassas Police Senior Office Vic Hatcher was promoted to sergeant and will serve in the department's traffic services unit. He's been with the agency since 1993.
Manassas Master Police Officer George Hawkins rose to sergeant after 22 years and many duties with the department. Hawkins will remain on the night shift and work with new members of the force.
Manassas Master Police Officer Wells Nevill, who is now Sgt. Nevill, will serve as the police community services supervisor. Nevill has been on the force since 2002 and is a certified training officer, a firearms instructor and an evidence technician.
Police and council welcomed several new officers to the department at Monday's meeting where several officers stood together and took the officer's oath.
The new officers are:
Officer Robert Clubb, B.A. in History, University of Virginia-Wise
Officer Brett Howell, Osbourn High School, Bridgewater College
Officer Melanie Kent-Knapczyk, Prince William Criminal Justice Adademy (2011 graduate). She has 10 years of experience in law enforcement with Prince William County Police Department.
Officer Yuvonka Lewis, Jackson State University. She has 12 years of experience in law enforcement. She wasn't present at Monday's meeting because she was still in Richmond, where she was employed with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
