MARYSVILLE — Incoming Marysville Police Officer Kelly Pitts proved to be a man of few words during his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, March 17, saying only, “It’s an honor to be here,” but his fellow Marysville Police officers had plenty to say about the law enforcement veteran, who came to the Marysville Police Department through a lateral entry from the Monroe Police Department.

“The more I got to know Kelly, the more I became impressed with him as a professional,” Marysville Police Chief Rick Smith said. “He’s built up a ton of training and experience that we now get to benefit from.”

While Smith and Marysville Police Lt. Mark Thomas welcomed Pitts, his wife Shawna, and their children, Ciera and Connor, Smith told Pitts that his fellow Marysville Police officers and the city officials at that evening’s City Council meeting represented the incoming officer’s “Marysville family,” whom Smith urged Pitts to call upon if ever the need were to arise.

Thomas recited a laundry list of Pitts’ accomplishments, dating back even before he began looking into police work in 1995, in his former hometown of Phoenix, Ariz.

“Kelly attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, where he obtained his bachelor of science degree in ecology and evolutionary biology, which makes me wonder if he’s here to work with us or study us,” Thomas laughed, before noting that Pitts’ search for law enforcement jobs continued in 1996, after his wife’s job took them to Bothell, then to Monroe.

Pitts began with the Monroe Police Department as a reserve officer in 1997, before testing for and being hired onto a full-time position on the department in 1998.

“Kelly had always been fond of shooting, so since his coworker was a firearms instructor, he got Kelly involved in firearms instruction too,” Thomas said. “Kelly began volunteering his time at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, in its firearms program, and as the program expanded, Kelly became an adjunct instructor.”

Pitts ultimately completed a three-year contract, through the Monroe Police Department, as a full-time lead firearms instructor at the Criminal Justice Training Center, then went on to become an instructor in defensive tactics, OC and Taser. Pitts also holds the titles of certified armorer for Colt, Beretta, Benelli and Glock, as well as a certified Simunition instructor.

He’s even served as assistant team leader for the South Snohomish County SWAT Team and a narcotics K-9 handler for the Monroe Police Department.

“Kelly’s biography speaks volumes about his experience, training and professionalism, as well as his impressive skill sets as a law enforcement officer,” Thomas said. “The Marysville Police Department is lucky to have him, and his qualifications also speak volumes about Marysville’s community, city government and police department, that we’re able to draw someone with his background to us.”