ELKHART, Ind. -- The two newest members of the Elkhart Police Department have officially been welcomed to the force during a Police Merit Commission meeting Friday morning. 

Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson swore in the two officers, whose addition brings the department’s staff to one hundred and twenty-two of the budgeted one hundred and forty-three.

EPD says this also brings their 2024 hiring total to seventeen new officers.

"So first off, while we're here is, obviously we want to hire new officers. And this is the swearing in ceremony where they passed all of our background, all of the requirements we have to become a police officer, which are pretty extensive," Elkhart Chief of Police Dan Milanese said. 

"And then the last step released come here before the mayor commission, who has the authority to technically hire people, and they get sworn in by the mayor. So it's a great day. It's a good way for the families to come here, to be able to see their loved ones sworn in, and to start a future in law enforcement."

Patrolman Gabriel Freyermuth (#533) of Goshen, graduated from Goshen High School. His last role was at Aluminum Insights.

Patrolman Arthur Arriaga (#534) of Elkhart, is a graduate of East Wood High School (Texas) and served in the United States Army for over 12 years. He is currently a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves and was most recently a Corrections Officer at the Elkhart County Jail.