Nathan McGough, who spent six years in the Army where he served in the infantry and military police, was sworn in Tuesday, Feb. 5 as a new Ceres Police officer.

This is McGough’s first position as a sworn officer with a Police Department. Chief Brent Smith said he has one officer candidate in the Academy. The City Council gave Smith the authority to hire a new officer after Jan. 1.

McGough grew up in Modesto and graduated from high school there. He said he loves to camp, hike, ride motorcycles and work out in the gym.

Last month Ceres Police Chief Brent Smith hired two new reserve officers in John Lee and Tony Scopesi, both retirees from Modesto Police Department. The two will work a maximum of 29 hours a week and while they will concentrate on traffic enforcement.

A large ceremonial swearing-in and awards ceremony will be scheduled sometime in March which will be Smith’s last. Smith said he is retiring as chief on June 30 after spending 25 years with the department.