Butler swore in a new police officer Wednesday, but he won’t be the last addition to the department.

David Cook, 33, was sworn in as a new officer at city hall. Cook, a graduate of Butler High School, served in the Air Force and the National Reserve.

He also is a lifelong member at Cubs Hall and was a professional boxer, fighting in four professional bouts.

“It showed me how to take a hit,” Cook said of his athletic past.

Cook said he worked as a military officer in the past and is excited to work for the city.

“I look forward to serving the city to the best of my ability,” he said. “When I first went into the military in 2000, my first job was as a military police officer. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked.”

Mayor Tom Donaldson said Cook is the first of three new officers to be hired by the city in the next few months.

Donaldson said the department is looking to get back to its full 23 man force following the retirements of three officers.

“This is the first hire under the new contract,” Donaldson said, referencing a new deal with city police approved in November.

Cook will start as a full-time officer. Under the police contract, the city can hire new officers on a part-time basis before a possible promotion to full time.

However, each of the three vacant city positions were advertised and tested as full-time officers, Donaldson said.

The mayor added the department needs full-time officers to get back up to a completed force.

“We’ve been shorthand for about a year now,” he said.

Donaldson said two officers are on injury leave, while three have retired or have announced their retirement in recent months.

Police Chief Ron Brown said he was excited the department is getting back to full strength.

“It’s always nice to have a full force,” he said. “The more guys available, the better.”

The city typically has the civil service test for new officers once a year. The test for Cook and the two future hires was held last summer.

Brown said that test includes physical, written and oral exams.

Brown said the department will hire new officers one at a time, and expected it to take more than a month before the next officer is hired.

“It’s a long process,” he said.

Donaldson said the next round of civil service testing will be done this year for the addition of part-time officers.

The mayor said he expects the city to hire at least two part-time officers by the end of the year.

Donaldson said he wants to increase the police’s presence on the street to cut down on crime.

However, the mayor complimented the department’s work while being understaffed.

“They’re doing a great job,” he said. “The progress we’ve made while short-handed has been exceptional. I can’t wait until we’re back at full strength.”

New police hires will earn 65 percent the maximum patrol officer salary in their first year, under the police contract.

That rate will increase each year until the officer is earning 100 percent of the salary after five years.

The starting salary for a patrol officer is $36,861. The maximum salary for a patrol officer is $56,709.

All officers will receive a 2.75 percent raise in 2016 and a 3 percent raise in 2017.

All new hires have a probationary period.