Chris Francis was ceremonially sworn into the Warsaw Police Department at the Board of Works meeting on Friday, Sept 15. Pictured from left: Warsaw Police Department Chief Scott Whitaker, Lisa Strombeck, Christopher Francis, LeeAnne Francis, Mark Francis and Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Text and Photos
By Brianna Pitts
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw Patrol Officer Christopher Francis received his ceremonial oath of office at the Board of Works meeting on Friday, Sept. 15, after completing the state-mandated one-year probationary period for a new hire.

Francis was officially hired by Warsaw Police Department on Sept. 4, 2022. He previously worked 16 years as a full-time deputy for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, where he held the rank of sergeant and was assigned as public information officer. He spent the previous two years as a jail officer.

Officer Francis received a degree in criminal justice from Indiana/Purdue University Fort Wayne. He is also a volunteer firefighter for Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory and is the Tippecanoe Township Trustee. Francis received Firefighter of the Year in 2013, the fire chief’s appreciation award in 2017, and was selected as the 2021 North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year.

WPD Chief Scott Whitaker gave a statement in a press release provided to the media, saying, “Officer Francis was a welcome addition to our department, as he has brought extensive law enforcement experience and knowledge to our patrol division. Francis’ desire to serve our community is apparent, by both past success and his commitment to our department. We look forward to seeing his success in phase two of his law enforcement career.”

Mayor Joe Thallemer and Street Department Superintendent Dustin Dillon also issued a reminder to the community there will be work done on Buffalo Street between Market and Main Streets, and Center Street between Lake and Indiana Streets, on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 25-26.

Other business addressed at the meeting:

• The wastewater department awarded a bid for this year’s sanitary sewer-storm rehabilitation to Inliner Solutions LLC.
• Two stormwater department projects were combined in an agreement with Wessler Engineering, as it is the most economical option, according to Utility Manager Brian Davison. Davison also said this project would help keep water out of the new roundabout in Winona Lake.
• The stormwater department entered ian agreement with Wessler Engineering for the reconstruction of the Prairie Street pump station.
• The street department entered two contracts with A&Z Engineering. One involves making improvements on Access Road and Frontage Road. The second contract focuses on improvements to the sidewalks and streets of Kincaide Street and Union Street.