Crime & Safety

Morton Grove Police Hire 2 Officers; Will Add More

Seven members of the 45-person force are retiring, a spokesman said.


Morton Grove got two new police officers at Monday's village board meeting--and they won't be the last of the new hires.

Jonathan Schmidt and Thomas Barkei were sworn in by Michael Simkins, chair of the village's police and fire commission. 

Both of the new officers will be spending approximately the next 12 weeks at police academy, said Morton Grove Police Commander Paul Yaras, and will start working in the department in late April.

The department is hoping to hire more officers because seven of its personnel  have announced plans to retire. All of the seven have logged 30-plus years in police work, Yaras said.

Police Chief Mark Erickson earlier announced his plans to retire, saying he would stay on through part of 2014, possibly retiring in the spring.

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