The Village of Manhattan swore in Officer Joselyn Esparza as its newest full-time police officer during the June 17 village board meeting, bringing the department to full staffing levels.

Mayor Mike Adrieansen administered the oath of office to Esparza, emphasizing his commitment to making Manhattan “the safest community in Illinois.” The new officer brings several years of law enforcement experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“Her addition ensures that our police department remains fully staffed, reaffirming both my commitment and the village board’s commitment to making Manhattan the safest community in Illinois,” Adrieansen said during the ceremony.

Esparza was joined by her fiancé Jose and her father, who had the honor of pinning her badge following the official swearing-in. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the village’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its police force.

Police Chief thanked the board for supporting the addition of Officer Esparza to the department. “She’s going to do great things here in Manhattan for the town,” the chief said.

The hiring represents the village’s continued investment in public safety. Board members have consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining full police staffing as the community continues to grow.

Trustee Justin Young noted that swearing in new officers is always a highlight for the board. “It’s always a fun day being on the board when you get a swearing officer. It’s a good thing for our community. Something we’ve always been pushing for is to bolster up that police force,” Young said.

Trustee Jennifer noted her excitement about having another female officer join the department, adding to the diversity of the police force.

The ceremony concluded with applause from board members and attendees, welcoming the newest member to Manhattan’s law enforcement team.