Tyler Freeman was sworn in as the newest officer of the Austin Police Department Monday morning at City Hall. Director of Administrative Services Tom Dankert administered the oath.

“While working with some of the officers up in Edina, I found out this place was hiring and they had high recommendations for it as a great community,” Freeman said. “I knew some of the officers that worked down here and they had nothing but praise for the community.”

Freeman, who comes from St. Paul Park, was working as a community service officer in Edina before joining Austin.

The Austin Police Department is now at full strength with 34 police officers on staff, according to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger.

Three other new officers were sworn in last month.

Freeman starts with a field training officer in two weeks. He is expected to be ready for his own patrol in mid- to late-February.

“I look forward to it,” Freeman said. “It’ll be a new chapter for me. It’s going to be a fun experience and one that’s going to give me a lot of knowledge so I can help the community as best I can.”