After operating on a limited staff for some time now, the Ironton Police Department recently increased its force by three.

On Friday, Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship swore in three new officers, Joshua Chavez, Adam Koch and Katelyn Lawson.

Chief Dan Johnson said the new officers are highly qualified and all received glowing reviews from previous employers.

“I have high hopes for them,” Johnson said.

Chavez, 30, originally from Jackson County, has about 10 years of law enforcement experience in Piketon and Wellston.

Koch, 27, of Gallia County, previously worked for the Rio Grande University Police Department.

Lawson, 21, has already served in law enforcement in Lawrence County as an officer with the Coal Grove Police Department.

Johnson said the addition of the new officers would help curb overtime expense once they are trained and on the road.

“Once they get on the road they can help fill in all the gaps we’ve had,” Johnson said. “It will help tremendously as far as traffic enforcement and having the bodies out there to do what we need to do.”

The three officers are also the youngest in the department.

“They should be, due to their age, in better physical condition than some of the older people,” Johnson said. “And it doesn’t hurt to have some young people around here.”

The three will begin training Wednesday morning.