HOBART | A 21-year-old Winfield man was sworn in on Wednesday as the newest member of the Hobart Police Department.

Ryan Walsh, a 2006 Crown Point High School graduate, started his first day on the job on Thursday, Police Chief Rod Gonzalez said.

Walsh, the department's 54th officer, has worked as a security guard at Westfield Southlake Mall and is currently seeking a criminal justice degree at Indiana University Northwest in Gary. -- BY DEBORAH LAVERTY, THE TIMES