Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese swore in five new Elkhart Police officer during the May 10 Board of Safety meeting.

The department now has 118 officers and is budgeted for 126.

The new officers are:
Patrolman Ryan Emery: Graduated from Wawasee High School and is a member of the Army National Guard
Patrolman Stephen Kime: Graduated from Elkhart Central High School and attended Olivet College.
Patrolman Kevin Rodriguez: Graduated from Elkhart Memorial High School and is a member of the Indiana Army National Guard.
Patrolman Bryant Byler: Graduated from Bronson High School and Attended Bethel College.
Patrolman Ryan Huff: Graduated from Jimtown High School and attended Indiana University of South Bend.

Officers Emery, Kime and Rodriguez will attend the 15 week Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in the near future.

Once they have completed the academy they will return to the Elkhart Police Department for an additional 12 weeks of field training.

Officers Byler and Huff will officially start with the Elkhart Police Department on Thursday May 12, 2016. Officers Byler and Huff have already attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and will begin field training immediately.