The Taylor Police Department is welcoming new personnel and celebrating two officers, whose quick actions are credited with saving a life.
At 10:30 a.m. Oct. 11, before a crowd of about 40 friends, family and fellow law-enforcement officials, Police Chief Henry Fluck swore in two new officers, Eric Campbell and Steven Salkoff, during a ceremony at the Taylor Public Library.
“This is a great day for both the officers and the department in the city,” said Commander Joseph Branson, department spokesman. “It’s a momentous day in their lives, a day that they will never forget. And it is good for the city to get these new officers in our department, so they can begin their careers.”
Daniel Seguin, Taylor communications director, said the two new officers are filling vacant positions and not hired as part of an overall expansion of the force.
“This year, we did not add any additional positions, as we were focused on maintaining a flat budget and keeping property taxes down,” Seguin said. “Last year, we added three new police officers. We did apply for a grant to fund those positions last year, but it was not awarded. We have applied again this year.
If we receive the grant, those positions will not be added until next fiscal year (2026), starting in October 2025.”
According to officials, the department has 33 approved sworn staff, including the commanders and the chief.
During the ceremony, both Campbell and Salkoff raised their right hands and took the Law Enforcement Oath of Office, promising to the best of their abilities to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States.” They also recited the core values and mission statement of the Police Department, including maintaining “integrity, excellence, fairness, pride, honesty, service and compassion.”
Also at the ceremony, Fluck recognized the actions of Officer Wilfredo Arce ll and Detective Pete Montoya by presenting them with lifesaving awards. Earlier in the month, the two men gave CPR to an individual prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services.
“Officer Arce and Detective Montoya’s actions prevented a death that would have occurred if assistance had been delayed,” according to a news release.
