PORT ANGELES — Two years ago, Lea French participated in the Port Angeles Police Department’s civilian ride-along program. She’s been hooked on a career in law enforcement ever since.

“I knew five minutes into it, this was what I wanted to do,” said French, the department’s newest officer and its second female officer.

French was sworn in as a police officer at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4. She will work as the downtown resource officer.

Her duties will include enforcing the skateboard and pedestrian interference ordinances and backing up other officers.

In October, she’ll leave for the five-month State Police Academy in Burien.

When she returns from the academy, French will undergo a minimum of three months field training that will allow her to patrol on her own as a regular full-time police officer.

French’s schedule will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday unless there’s a festival or other special event that requires her to work on Sunday or Monday.

French’s position will supplement, not replace, the current downtown community service officer.

When she leaves, the position will remain vacant until it can be filled full-time by a veteran patrol officer by Memorial Day 2007.