Alec Pettit sworn in as Greencastle’s newest police officer

Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE The newest Greencastle Police Department officer, Alec Pettit, is sworn in Tuesday morning by Mayor Bill Dory in a City Hall ceremony.

The newest and perhaps youngest-ever City of Greencastle police officer was sworn in Tuesday morning in front of friends, family and much of the police force.

Alec Pettit, 21-year-old son of Ron and Lori Pettit of Greencastle, took the oath of office from Mayor Bill Dory at City Hall to restore the Greencastle Police Department ranks to 16 officers.

“We are excited today to have Alec join the team at the Greencastle Police Department,” Chief Tom Sutherlin said prior to the start of the formal ceremony. “And we’re excited to get back to full force.”

Banner Graphic/Eric BERNSEE May the force be with you is one way to look as this congratulatory gathering of Greencastle City Police officers Tuesday in celebration of the swearing in of Alec Pettit (center, in suit) at City Hall. Welcoming the new officer are (from left) Josh Smith, Det. Michael Collins, Chief Tom Sutherlin, Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins, Officer Darrel Bunten and Sgt. Ed Wilson.

The city is expected to hire a 17th officer later this year. That has been budgeted for, however, nothing can be done about it until the city’s 2017 budget is approved by the state.

While Pettit technically replaces retired Det. Randy Seipel on the city force, his hiring will eventually allow Matt Huffman to assume the detective role for which he has already been approved. Michael Collins continues as the city’s lead detective.

A 2014 Greencastle High School graduate, Pettit has worked at the Putnam County Jail the past two years.

“We’re pretty excited,” his mother, Lori said, as a parade of pictures with family and fellow cops continued at City Hall. “He ‘s really wanted this. He would go down to the jail after school.”

Pettit began his GPD career Tuesday, riding in street clothes with the day shift. Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins said that set-up will likely last about three weeks.

However, the new officer will have no authority until he completes a 40-hour basic training session conducted by certified officers within the department. Then he will join the night shift under Capt. Charles Inman.

Pettit is expected to go to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy sometime mid-year. Probably in June, Hopkins guessed.