MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Township Board held their first virtual meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 5th due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Police Chief Ken Plaga was present at last night's meeting to introduce two new police officers to the Township Board, Sierra Alvarado and Megan Heinemann, who were both sworn in the police department last month after graduating from the Mid-Michigan Police Academy.

Alvarado and Heinemann are graduates from Michigan State University with Alvarado having a Bachelor’s in Nutrition and Science, and Heinemann with a Bachelor’s in Media & Information Management. Both of them worked with the Meridian Township Police Department for a short period of time as cadets. “I’m excited for this opportunity and to see where this career takes me and glad to be with Meridian again after the academy,” Heinemann said.

Chief Plaga stated that there are now 36 officers employed, and has conducted interviews during the week to reach the goal of 41 new police officers. Supervisor Ron Styka said he is looking forward to many good years of service from both Alvarado and Heinemann to serve and protect the community.