WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Police Department welcomed a new officer to its ranks during a special meeting of the Winona Lake Town Council Thursday, Jan. 3.

Riley Arvanitis, 24, was sworn in by newly-appointed Town Attorney Adam Turner. According to Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn, Arvanitis is a native of Schererville who is pursuing a law enforcement degree and is a former college football player.

Hawn said Arvanitis recently moved into the town of Winona Lake. He assumed duties as Winona Lake’s newest police officer effective Jan. 1. The Winona Lake Police Department received approval in 2018 from the town board to add one officer to its police force in 2019.