Girard hires officer

STAFF REPORT

GIRARD — The police department has sworn in a new officer.

John Freeman, 24, was sworn in at 1 p.m. Monday at the municipal building.

Freeman previously was a patrol officer in Weathersfield Township, working there for two years.

His hiring brings the department to 16 full-time officers, said Police Chief Jeffrey Palmer.

Palmer said Freeman was hired with a federal-stimulus grant of $229,000. The grant will pay his salary and benefits for three years, he said. Palmer said Freeman also will not be let go because the grant expires.

He said the schools might help finance a school-resource officer, and that would free up some money to fund the newest position. He said there may be other grants available, and the department also will save money by decreasing overtime.

Palmer said the department is still down from its full complement of 21 full-time officers.