Posted February 12, 2021

City Clerk Christi McElhaney administers the Oath of Office to new Huntington Police Officer Austin Johnson (right) as his father, Todd Johnson, looks on.

HUNTINGTON – Huntington native Austin Johnson was sworn into duty Friday morning as the newest officer of the Huntington Police Department.

The ceremony took place in the City Council Chambers, located on the third floor of the Huntington City Building at 300 Cherry St., with Police Department personnel and a number of Johnson’s family members in attendance.

Just before the swearing in, Huntington Police Chief Chad Hacker spoke about his first meeting with Johnson about three years ago. Johnson, who began his law enforcement career in 2013 as a state parole officer with the Indiana Department of Corrections, expressed an interest in later returning to his hometown to be closer to family.

Johnson’s appointment is the culmination of a 10-month application process that started when he submitted a resume to Chief Hacker early in 2020.

“His colleagues described him as dependable, hardworking, proactive and level-headed,” Chief Hacker said. “I look forward to watching him begin his career with the Huntington Police Department.”

Huntington Mayor Richard Strick began the ceremony with comments reminding Johnson and his fellow officers of the sacred public trust they enter into as members of the Huntington Police Department. The authority given to a uniformed officer is reliant on a strong relationship with the general public and a full-time attention to the community’s well-being, the mayor said.

“You will be held to a higher standard than other residents in this community,” Mayor Strick said. “We have the utmost confidence you will meet and exceed those standards.”

City Clerk Christi McElhaney administered the Oath of Office to Johnson with his father, Todd, looking on.

Johnson is a graduate of Huntington North High School, and he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology and Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Ball State University.

Johnson will begin training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on March 15 and graduate from the program on June 25. He will then undergo 12 weeks of field training.