Three veterans of the war in Iraq have joined the York City Police Department as probationary officers, bringing the 106-officer department to its full complement.

At a meeting Tuesday, the York City Council welcomed Paul Thorne, Sean Haggarty and Donald Morgan on board.

Mayor Kim Bracey will swear in the new officers before the end of the month, York City Police Chief Wes Kahley said.

As probationary officers, the three rookies will spend about 10 months in training. Then, they'll move on to a one-year probationary period before they are offered tenure in the department, Kahley said.

Thorne, 30, is a York Suburban High School graduate and former Marine who served six months in Iraq. He graduated from York College with a degree in business administration. He lives in Cockeysville, Md.

Morgan, 29, is from northeastern Pennsylvania. He served two years in the Air Force, including a stint in Iraq. He currently works as a part-time police officer at departments in Nescopeck and Weatherly, Pa.

Haggarty, 27, served as a soldier in Iraq for more than a year. After returning to the United States in 2006, he enrolled in college and graduated with a degree in sociology. Haggarty, who lives in New Oxford, works as a paramedic in Hanover.

Several people urged the new officers to consider relocating to York City. The personal residency of city police officers has been a controversial issue over the years in York, where few -- if any -- officers live.

"Would you be my neighbor, please?" city resident Manuel Gomez asked.

-- Erin James may also be reached at ejames@yorkdispatch.com.