By Josh Bootsma
LANSING, Ill. (September 20, 2021) – Four future police officers swore an oath to protect and serve the Lansing community on Monday afternoon, bringing the number of new officers sworn in during the last two months to 10.
Following July’s swearing-in of six new officers, family, friends, LPD officers, and Village officials gathered at the Lansing Courtroom to witness Joseph Ratajczak, Brent Verhagen, Travelle Smith, and Christopher Kraus take their oaths and receive their badges.
“We do things right here in Lansing, we put our community first. We’re here to protect and serve,” LPD Chief Al Phillips told the four young officers.
Ratajczak is 21 years old and is from Oak Lawn. Verhagen is from South Holland and is 23. The 26-year old Smith is from Ford Heights. Kraus is 22 and from Oak Forest.
Phillips has said LPD has suffered staffing shortages due to retirements, and he estimates more retirements are coming in the next couple years. The four new officers will go through a few months of academy training before starting training with LPD.
“Hopefully for the next 30-plus years, you’re going to go out there and serve our citizens proudly,” Phillips told new officers.
The Lansing Police Department is located at 2710 170th Street, Lansing, IL.
Related
- Six new Lansing Police officers sworn in (July 27, 2021)
