Valparaiso's new police chief was officially sworn into office during Monday's city council meeting. Andrew McIntyre said he was "extremely humbled and honored to be selected."
"I want you all to expect the same dedication, commitment and professionalism that you've always had from this department. I assure you that it'll continue. And again, this is truly a dream come true for me," McIntyre added.
He replaces Jeff Balon, who was elected Porter County sheriff. Balon said he's confident that the Valparaiso Police Department will continue to improve under McIntyre's leadership.
"I've watched Andrew come up through the hiring process. He worked hard as a patrolman. He worked hard as a detective. He worked hard in the narcotics division. And I'm proud of your accomplishments, Chief McIntyre," Balon said.
Mayor Matt Murphy said McIntyre's appointment came after a competitive application process. "To ensure that we chose correctly, we conducted extensive interviews, including inviting each member of the department to share their insights, ultimately meeting with nearly 50 members of the team," Murphy noted.
McIntyre took his oath of office on the same day that police were called to what turned out to be a false bomb threat at Valparaiso High School. Mayor Murphy thanked the officers, school officials and other emergency responders.
"This collaboration ensures our safety daily, and we're grateful for the professionalism and teamwork," Murphy added.
Sheriff Balon said Monday's incident demonstrated the good working relationship that exists between Valparaiso Police and the sheriff's office. He said he's proud of how well the entities worked together.
