Inaugural hospital officers graduate

Richmond’s hospital has a new batch of officers for its newly formed police department.

The first class of Reid Health Police Department officers — four in total — graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy this week. The hospital decided to convert its security team to a police department earlier this year.

"By being a police department, we will have the ability to handle and deal with situations without needing outside police assistance,” said Reid police chief Randy Kolentus in a press release.

Sgts. Brian Jackson and Brian Bolin and officers Mike Hurst and Ryan Gerber graduated Tuesday after training for eight weeks at the academy.

"Attending and graduating from the academy is affirmation of their dedication, skills, and individual professionalism,” said Reid Health Vice President Jennifer Ehlers in a press release.

Eleven out of the 23 members of the security team have been sworn in as officers since the hospital began the transition. That’s more than double the nine security personnel that worked the team in 2016.

A Reid Health press release noted the Richmond Police Department responded to calls at the hospital 900 times in 2019. A new police department will allow the hospital to have officers on hand to address what the press release called “an increasing number of potentially violent incidents.”

Four additional officers are expected to begin training at the academy in January, according to the press release. The hospital expects to fully transition to the police department in two years.



Help is needed

LifeStream is looking for volunteers to help with efforts to brighten the holiday season through its AngelWish program for older adults who are isolated.

The program coordinates delivery of gifts to older adults in the 12-county area, including Jay.

Those interested in helping out can sign up to deliver gifts between until Dec. 24 or make a monetary donation, both by visiting lifestreaminc.org/angelwish. Donations are also being accepted by mail at 1701 Pilgrim Boulevard, Yorktown, IN 47396.

For more information, contact Laura Bray at [email protected] or (765) 759-3372.



Sessions available

MDwise is offering informational sessions for those who have health coverage through the Healthy Indiana Plan, as those individuals have until Dec. 15 to change their plans.

Virtual events will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday and 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday and Dec. 15.

To sign up for one of the events, visit mdwise.org.