Winona Lake Hires First Full-Time Female Police Officer
October 22, 2024 at 8:06 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - A former paralegal for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is the town of Winona Lake’s first full-time female police officer.
During the Winona Lake Town Council meeting Tuesday, the board approved a resolution appointing a deputy marshal, Amanda Escalante.
Town Marshal Joe Hawn said, “Two weeks ago, we had an opportunity to be able to interview for our new police officer position. I appreciate (Councilmen) Barry (Andrew) and Austin (Reynolds) being a part of that interview process. After the first interview, I told the councilmen that were there, ‘Don’t expect this to be everyone.’ Because she just blew us away with her knowledge and her desire to be a police officer.”
Amanda Escalante, the town of Winona Lake’s newest and first full-time female police officer, poses for a group photo with her family and the Winona Lake Police Department. Photo by David Slone, Times-UnionAfter the interview, he said they decided Escalante was the right person to be the next police officer for Winona Lake.
“And it’s also our first female full-time officer for Winona Lake,” Hawn said.
Town attorney Adam Turner gave Escalante the oath of office after the council unanimously approved the resolution.
She told the council, “I don’t have anything particular to say. I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing community. I look forward to learning from a great group of guys, and to be an amazing representative of such a well-respected town.”
She introduced her family who was present with her.
Later in the meeting, Hawn told the council that training for Escalante would be substantial because she’s new. She will be training and it’s hoped she will be able to start at the Law Enforcement Academy in January.
“It’s a long process of training a new officer,” Hawn said. “... You’re not going to see her solo for quite a while.”
After the meeting, Hawn said Escalante, 34, lives in Rochester with her husband, a former police officer, and their combined six children.
“She’s super excited to be an officer,” he stated.
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WINONA LAKE - A former paralegal for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is the town of Winona Lake’s first full-time female police officer.
During the Winona Lake Town Council meeting Tuesday, the board approved a resolution appointing a deputy marshal, Amanda Escalante.
Town Marshal Joe Hawn said, “Two weeks ago, we had an opportunity to be able to interview for our new police officer position. I appreciate (Councilmen) Barry (Andrew) and Austin (Reynolds) being a part of that interview process. After the first interview, I told the councilmen that were there, ‘Don’t expect this to be everyone.’ Because she just blew us away with her knowledge and her desire to be a police officer.”
Amanda Escalante, the town of Winona Lake’s newest and first full-time female police officer, poses for a group photo with her family and the Winona Lake Police Department. Photo by David Slone, Times-UnionAfter the interview, he said they decided Escalante was the right person to be the next police officer for Winona Lake.
“And it’s also our first female full-time officer for Winona Lake,” Hawn said.
Town attorney Adam Turner gave Escalante the oath of office after the council unanimously approved the resolution.
She told the council, “I don’t have anything particular to say. I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing community. I look forward to learning from a great group of guys, and to be an amazing representative of such a well-respected town.”
She introduced her family who was present with her.
Later in the meeting, Hawn told the council that training for Escalante would be substantial because she’s new. She will be training and it’s hoped she will be able to start at the Law Enforcement Academy in January.
“It’s a long process of training a new officer,” Hawn said. “... You’re not going to see her solo for quite a while.”
After the meeting, Hawn said Escalante, 34, lives in Rochester with her husband, a former police officer, and their combined six children.
“She’s super excited to be an officer,” he stated.