MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - On Monday, December 16, 2019, Meridian Township officials and police officers welcomed Wes Talbot, as their new police officer, with a swearing-in ceremony.

Meridian Township Clerk Brett Dreyfus swore-in Officer Talbot during the ceremony.

Talbot is a Traverse City native, who had high aspirations of becoming a police officer, and was a Lieutenant for the 104th Mid-Michigan Police Academy.

Meridian Township Police Chief Ken Plaga and Township Manager Frank L. Walsh were also in attendance during the ceremony.

Township Police Lieutenant Rick Grillo was responsible for the recruitment and hiring of Officer Talbot and looks forward to working with him in the department.

"We are very excited to have Wes join our Meridian Township police family. We look forward to what the future holds for this young man."

"One of the things that we look for is not just somebody who is going to be good police officer, but somebody who is also going to be a good person, that is going to represent our department and take care of the community the way that they should be taken care of and there's no doubt in my mind or the Chief's mind that he fits that role perfectly."