BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – The Village of Canton has a new police officer.

The village board on Wednesday night approved the probationary hiring of Paige LaRock, an Ogdensburg native. LaRock was sworn in by Village Clerk Sally Noble in front of a large contingent of family members.

Little time was wasted as LaRock’s first day on the job was today (July 20). The starting salary is $49,905.

“She interviewed very well and she impressed all of the interviewers as a no nonsense go-getter,” said Canton Police Chief James Santimaw. “We are all excited to welcome her aboard as she rounds out the Canton Police Department back to full staff.”

Trustee Beth Larrabee who sat on the hiring committee agreed.

“We are so excited. She is enthusiastic and is vested in the community. She will have a real positive impact in the Village of Canton,” stated Larrabee at Wednesday monthly village board meeting.

“She stood out. She has a little grit to her in a good way,” Santimaw added. “She will do great.”

LaRock will be attending the police academy at SUNY Potsdam beginning Aug. 10. Her probationary period ends upon graduating from the academy.

She is a graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy and has been employed in one of the area banking institutions.