4 more take oaths to become Reid Health police officers privateofficer.org

 

RICHMOND, Ind. January 1 2021— Reid Health Police Department increased its force of sworn officers by four this week.

Officers Jeremy Hicks, David Jones, Dillon Pitcher and Jeremiah Lawson took their oaths Monday from Craig Kinyon, the president and CEO of Reid Health, according to a news release. The four will now attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy beginning in January.

"I'm very proud of these gentlemen," said Jennifer Ehlers, vice president and chief quality officer for Reid. "While they have a lot of hard work in front of them at the academy, I have no doubt they will all be successful."

The second class of Reid officers to attend the academy will complete the eight-week course in March and return to Reid as certified police officers. They increase the number of Reid's sworn officers to 14, according to Chief Randy Kolentus.

"This is another big step for our planned transition to a full police department," Kolentus said. "This still leaves us with 11 officers who we will send to the academy, hopefully several more of them yet in 2021."

Sgt. Brian Jackson, Sgt. Brian Bolin, Officer Mike Hurst and Officer Ryan Gerber were the first Reid officers to complete training at the academy in Plainfield, Ind. The first five officers sworn to Reid's department were already certified officers and did not need to attend the academy.

Reid announced early in 2020 that it would transition its security department into a police department to enhance the security and safety of patients, visitors, staff and community members utilizing Reid services. The move follows other health systems that have begun police departments.

Reid officers will have arrest authority and reduce the reliance on other police agencies, such as Richmond Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. The transition requires the increased training and certification for security staff members who had not previously been sworn police officers.

The security department included just nine officers in 2016 but has more than doubled as Reid's geographic footprint has increased; the hospital system now employs approximately 3,400 people.

When the Reid police department's transition is complete, it would be the third-largest law enforcement agency in Wayne County.

Kolentus, Assistant Chief Jeff Cappa, Capt. Dennis Perkins and Officer Steve Smith were the first Reid officers to take their oaths Feb. 27.