4 more Reid Health police officers complete academy training
RICHMOND, Ind. March 3 2021— Reid Health continues to build its police department.
Four more officers completed Indiana Law Enforcement Academy training Feb. 26, bringing Reid’s total of certified police officers to 13. Nine more officers must attend the academy to complete the Reid Health Police Department’s transition from a security department, according to a Reid news release.
Officers Jeremy Hicks, David Jones, Jeramiah Lawson and Dillon Pitcher were sworn in Dec. 28 and have now completed the eight-week academy training course. They are the second quartet to complete training at the academy, following Sgt. Brian Jackson, Sgt. Brian Bolin, Officer Mike Hurst and Officer Ryan Gerber. Five other officers already were certified police officers with previous academy training.
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“At this point, our transition is moving along very well, said Chief Randy Kolentus, who hopes to send more officers to training in May. “We are getting officers from the Richmond and Connersville campuses into and through the academy, and they are doing very well.
“We are sending officers from each shift to help balance our police officer/security officer mix until all have completed the academy.”
Reid began in early 2020 its security transition to a police department, following other Indiana health systems. Forming a police department is intended to enhance the safety for Reid’s employees, patients and visitors. It also reflects Reid’s growth that had begun requiring additional city and county police assistance.
“I’m very proud of our entire police department team,” said Jennifer Ehlers, vice president and chief quality officer for Reid. “We have outstanding officers who provide exceptional service to our patients, their families and our staff.”
After their academy training, Reid officers will be required to complete annual training, as well, Kolentus said.
“Hospital/healthcare police departments are very different from traditional police departments, and all the officers here at Reid Health understand that,” Kolentus said. “Our officers work with all Reid staff, patients, visitors and customers to support them and keep them safe.”
