MONROE — The Monroe Police Department spent several months short staffed, but its numbers have climbed back up to full speed after hiring three new police officers since mid-August.

Police Chief Fred Kelley said all three officers are still in various levels of training, with the first person hired now officially on a solo patrol shift. Kelley said while they looked to hire for the open positions, the department keeps an eye out for applicants who have already been to a police academy to save the city time and money on new hires. 

Those who have already been to an academy means they’ve already had the 720 requirement hours of police training before training on the job. Kelley said they were able to find all three positions with that fulfilled prior to them starting. 

The Monroe Police Department is now at full staff, Kelley said, with 26 sworn officers. They are working to get to a full staff of dispatchers, and plan to hire one additional person to make a total of six to fill that within the next month, Kelley said.

Hiring officers and dispatchers is a process in law enforcement, Kelley said. The city must approve the funding and then recruiting takes time. However, he sees the hires as a positive for the department and the City of Monroe.

“I think we’ve got a good crop of new employees,” Kelley said.

Meet the officers

Benjamin N. Johnston

Johnston started with Monroe Police Department Aug. 19. Originally from the Rockford, Illinois, area, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Aurora University in Illinois. Johnston attended the Dane County Law Enforcement Academy and comes to Monroe with prior law enforcement experience from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and also from the Winnebago County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Office. Johnston has been in field training since his first day, training on all of the shifts, and in early January started on the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. solo patrol shift. 

Tyler M. Hallmark

Hallmark started with Monroe Police Department Sept. 4.  He is originally from the Verona area, and has an associate’s degree from Madison College. He attended the Madison College Law Enforcement Academy. Tyler comes to the department with no law enforcement employment experience. Tyler has been in field training since his first day, training on all of the shifts, and in late January will start on solo patrol for the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift.

Ryan Cottini

Cottini started with the Monroe Police Department Nov. 18. He is originally from Schaumberg, Illinois. His brother is a police officer for the Village of Walworth. Cottini has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Iowa State University and graduated from the Blackhawk Technical College-Janesville Law Enforcement Academy. Cottini has no prior law enforcement experience. Cottini has been in field training since his first day, training on all of the shifts, and will eventually work the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift.