There is a new face in the Scranton Police Department.
On Thursday, James Golden, 28, a city native and 2½-year Lackawanna County sheriff's office veteran, was sworn into service at City Hall before acting Police Chief Carl Graziano and Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty.
"I will discharge the duties of my office as a member of the Scranton Police Department," Patrolman Golden said.
Officer Golden joins the force after the department recently implemented two beat patrol officers to cover neighborhood problems like nuisance crime, blight and juvenile crime while patrolling on bike or foot, uninhibited by dispatch calls.
Patrolman Golden will work the overnight shift to fill in the gap left by those two officers. His annual salary is roughly $46,000, according to Chief Graziano.
Patrolman Jason Knoch began patrolling west of the Lackawanna River in April. Patrolman Nick Hurchick began patrolling east of the river on Tuesday. The Office of Economic and Community Development directly funds the beat officers.
Chief Graziano said Patrolman Golden will be in training for several weeks before he "hits the streets." He begins training today.
"I'm just excited," Patrolman Golden said. "This is my hometown. I'm excited to get to work."
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter