FOLEY — With the hiring of six new police officers, Foley Police Department is on the way to the 63 sworn officers the department will have when present hiring plans are complete.

Police Chief David Wilson said the hiring and selection process is tough even for experienced officers. It requires an application, written exam, oral board and deep background check.

"It is very tough to get on with our department. The City of Foley has set us up for success with the highest starting salary in the area of $18.25 an hour," Wilson said.

"It is also a great place to live and we have received applications from all over the state of Alabama and other states as well. I have had our investigators all over this state and adjoining states conducting face to face background checks on police officers applying for the Foley Police Department."

Wilson called the first six police officers hired the "cream of the crop." Those officers are:

Officer John Liptak, who was with the Canton, N.Y., Police Department from 1979-99, Mobile Police Department from 1999-2005, and the Department of Forensic Sciences from 2005 until hired by FPD.

Officer Bryan Phillips previously worked with the Mobile Police Department for three years.

Officer Robin Grant previously worked at Altoona, Ala., Police Department from 1999-2005 and was with the Etowah County, Ala., Sheriff's Office until hired by FPD.

Officer Lenny Conley has worked at the Atmore Police Department for the past seven years.

Officer Robert Brown worked with the Mobile Police department from 1996-2003 and has been with the U.S. Marshal's Service since then.

Officer Scott Tart worked with the Lee County, Ala., Sheriff's Office from 1991-96 and the Opelika Police Department until hired by FPD.

"These experienced officers and their families are excited about coming to Foley. The officers are also bringing a lot of experience with them," Wilson said, noting the new officers must still go through "four weeks of intensive training to prove themselves to us."

On Sept. 4 two veteran Foley officers were recognized at a promotion ceremony at FPD. Sergeants Thurston Bullock and Charles Massey have been promoted to lieutenant.

Bullock will serve as commander of the Patrol Division and Massey as commander of the Administration Division.

"Six police sergeants underwent a very hard and extensive promotional process," Wilson said.

"They studied text books on police management and leadership and then took a written exam. They then studied our local procedures on the day to day operations of the Foley Police Department. Following that, they all appeared in front of a oral board panel of police executives from outside police agencies."

With Bullock and Massey's promotions, FPD now has a full command staff, Wilson said, adding, "I look forward to working with these lieutenants as we continue to lead Foley's Finest."

The promotion ceremony was attended by fellow officers, city employees and city officials.