Putnam agencies graduate seven from academy

Putnam County officers graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on Friday include (from left) GPD Officer Zach Rhine, PCSD Deputy Riley Houghton, GPD Officer Josh Smith, GPD Officer Elsiana Crosby, CPD Officer Luke Brown, PCSD Deputy Jacob Harrington and GPD Officer Brad Hiatt. (Photo courtesy of Greencastle Police Department)

PLAINFIELD -- In a remarkable day for Putnam County law enforcement agencies, seven police officers from Putnam County graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on Friday.

The newly-minted officers who will soon be hitting the streets include Greencastle officers Josh Smith, Brad Hiatt, Elsiana Crosby and Zach Rhine; Putnam County sheriff's deputies Riley Houghton and Jacob Harrington and Cloverdale Officer Luke Brown.

Beyond the numbers, though, were the accomplishments of the local officers while at ILEA.

Chief among these were Deputy Houghton and Officer Hiatt.

As class president, Houghton gave a speech during Friday's ceremonies on the importance of ethics as a police officer. Houghton was also given an award for leadership, with his name to be inscribed on a plaque that will remain at the ILEA.

Officer Hiatt was near the top of the 126 graduates, finishing in the top five academically.

Fellow Greencastle officers Smith and Crosby were also leaders at the academy, as they put to use the supervisory skills they learned in the military and were selected as assistant squad leaders

Crosby was also noted for her driving. During Crosby's time at the academy, GPD Capt. Charles Inman received a letter from the emergency vehicle operation (EVO) instructor say that Crosby was an outstanding officer who should great leadership skills, even suggesting that Crosby would be a great candidate to be an EVO instructor.

In another skills competition, Deputy Harrington placed in the top 10 of the sharpshooter contest, losing out to a former Marine sniper.

"We can't say that we are not proud of our officers and the impression they left at the academy," GPD Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins said.

"Law enforcement personnel are required to problem solve for others daily," Hopkins said. "Many of the situations that police officers face require them to maintain control, remain professional, and show little emotion which is difficult to do in stressful or traumatic situations. It requires the ability to silence true feelings and emotions adding additional challenges to an already highly stressful occupation. That's why the Greencastle Police Department works not only as a team, but as a family."

Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton expressed pride in his two newest deputies.

"Jake and Riley are the first two in this new administration under our new hiring process," Stockton said. "We're proud of their accomplishments. They were definitely run through the gauntlet of our hiring evaluation."

In praising Officer Brown, Cloverdale Town Marshall Mike Clark underscored the strain that running short-handed has put on all three agencies.

"I think Luke's a great officer," Clark said. "He's done well from day one, starting as a reserve and did a great job once he was hired full time. I think he's going to do great things for the department.

"It's definitely going to be good to have him back," Clark continued. "We've been operating one short for the whole time he's been at the academy."

For GPD, that has meant running four officers short, while for PCSD, the struggle is still a step or two from being over.

Even with Houghton and Harrington in the fold, Deputy Anthony Brown will depart for the academy next month. Additionally, the department is about to hire two more new deputies.