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OTTUMWA -- The Ottumwa police department is looking to hire its first bilingual officer.

Pending approval from city council, Carlos Puente-Morales will be the first Spanish-speaking cop on the force.  Puente Morales has served in both the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He was also a Franklin County sheriff’s deputy. 

Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark says the hire would benefit his department immensely.

“Obviously hiring a bilingual officer is very important as we have a large Hispanic population, Spanish-speaking population,” Clark said.  “Prior to this, it has been difficult communicating with some that don’t speak either no English or very little English.”

The OPD hopes city council will also approve the hiring of Joseph Yarkosky to the force. 

“If these two are approved, then we’ll be up to 40 officers.”

Also during Tuesday’s council meeting the city is expected to appoint Cory Dillon, James Gillespie and Andrew Ewing as probationary firefighters.