Newest officer sworn into Zanesville PD marks second woman on current force
Haley McLean stands among Public Safety Director Keane Toney, Mayor Jeff Tilton and Police Chief Tony Coury as McLean’s mother placed her pin on her shirt during her swearing in ceremony.
October 21, 2019
The Zanesville Police Department grew by one officer Monday afternoon following the swearing in of a new patrolwoman.
Haley McLean, a former Muskingum County Jail corrections officer, was joined by her family and city officials as she accepted her position with the Zanesville Police Department — a job she has wanted for many years.
“I feel accomplished to be able to help the community and be able to go where I wanted to go since I was a little girl,” McLean said.
For the next 12 weeks, McLean will train with a seasoned officer before patrolling on her own around the first of the new year. McLean’s mother thanked Police Chief Tony Coury for the extensive training to ensure that her daughter is as prepared as possible to take on the position.
“The one thing I would say to her parents is, it’s a noble profession,” Coury said. “ … We at the police department will make sure your daughter is OK to the best of our ability.”
McLean formerly worked as a corrections officer at the Muskingum County Jail while she was attending the Zane State College Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. She graduated from the academy in May.
“I wanted to be able to help my community and protect and serve,” McLean said of her decision to enter law enforcement. “I always have been the one to help underdogs in school and wanted to make sure that everyone felt safe.”
While the Zanesville Police Department employs many men, Coury said he was intentional about hiring another woman to be on patrol.
McLean added that oftentimes, women can be more nurturing and she’s hoping to be supportive of people in the community who have fallen on hard times, as well as connect with children who may be involved in tough situations.
“I appreciate this opportunity to be able to serve and protect the community and go out there and do what I love to do,” McLean said.
Art Swartz • Oct 24, 2019 at 12:36 am
I knew Haley for a short time when I went to the county jail to do Narcotics Anonymous meetings in the jail I know she’s going to be a good police officer 2 Serve and Protect I feel that the Zanesville Department needs to start up the Dare program again do help children at schools I also would like to see more women to become police officers okay well Haley congratulations and God be with you and you take care and be safe I feel the Janesville Police Department made the right choice
Norma Brookover • Oct 22, 2019 at 5:56 am
Just want to congratulate Haley and wish her all the best. We have some veteran officers still, so I am sure she will have the best training. I am glad to see two women on the force again. When I worked records in my earlier years there have been women officers and they do just fine.