The police department will add five new officers, growing the force to a total of 53 officers.
Clerk-Treasurer Eugene Guernsey swore-in two officers — 23-year-old Ian Fultz, of Crown Point, and 27-year-old Christopher Davis, of Lowell — during the Town Council meeting Tuesday as friends and family, and fellow Merrillville police officers, looked on.
Council members moved aside as they welcomed family members to take photos of the swearing-in ceremony.
“This is a special time in their lives,” Council President Tom Goralczyk, D-3rd, said.
Police Chief Joseph Petruch said both officers have attended the police academy and would begin work immediately.
Petruch said three other officers would be graduating from the Northwest Indiana Police Academy on Friday and will start work on Monday.
