Five new police officers were sworn into the City of Hilliard Division of Police on Monday.
The oath of office was administered by Chief of Police Michael Woods. He noted the candidates set themselves apart from the original group of about 70 applicants by displaying the qualities and characteristics needed to become Hilliard police officers.
“These five individuals stood out in a very competitive process,” Woods said. “Each of them is excited to serve the Hilliard community.”
Officer Samuel Harris comes to the department as a certified police officer. He will spend the next 15 weeks learning Division policies and procedures with a Hilliard field training officer.
Officers Ryan Meyers, Trenton Morrow, Mitchell Schlotterer, and Michael Kelso will enroll into the Columbus Police Academy, where they will spend 28 weeks learning police operations. They are expected to graduate in winter 2024 and will then complete field training.
Harris joins the City of Hilliard after serving with the Urbana Division of Police for five years. As an Urbana officer, he was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) with the Award of Excellence for having the most OVI arrests in the department for three years. He is a native of Urbana and earned his peace officer certification from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy.
Meyers is from Circleville and graduated from Teays Valley High School. Since 2020, he has served with the Ohio Air National Guard, where he graduated in the top 5 percent of his team and was recognized for work ethic and dependability while working in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Morrow was raised in the Hilliard area and graduated from Hilliard Bradley High School, where he was an athlete. He was a member of the Columbus Police Explorer’s Program and has served with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections service coordinator and ID technician since 2021.
Schlotterer is a Hilliard native and graduated from Hilliard Davidson High School, where he was an athlete and an Eagle Scout. He is preparing to graduate from Xavier University with a degree in criminal justice and psychology.
Kelso grew up in Pickerington and attended Pickerington North High School. He earned an associate degree from Columbus State Community College and is preparing to graduate from The Ohio State University later this month.
For years, the City of Hilliard Division of Police has made a conscious effort to implement a community-oriented policing philosophy and build a unique bond with the people of Hilliard. Individuals who believe they embody the spirit of a vibrant city, can play an active role both in the department and in the community, and can continue to make Hilliard one of the best places to work and live should visit WearTheHPDBadge.com.
