Gentry hires four new police officers

GENTRY -- Two new full-time and two part-time officers were hired at the Gentry Police Department, according to Sergeant Clay Stewart.

Charles Strickland was hired as a full-time patrolman for the department. He lives in Gentry and is a certified law enforcement officer, having worked full time for the sheriff's office and Siloam Springs.

Josh Holland, a former Gentry area resident, was also hired to work full time as a patrolman for the department. He too is fully certified, having worked three years for Rogers. He currently lives in Bella Vista but is planning to move to Gentry.

Part-time Officers

Brian Kirk, a reserve officer for Gentry, was moved up to a paid part-time post with the department. He is already certified for the part-time position.

Joe Gregory, who has served in Gentry as a reserve officer and worked full time in Bella Vista and in Gravette, was hired as a part-time officer. Since he has been out of law enforcement for more than 10 years, he will need to attend a Part-time II course and be certified. He also is a Gentry resident.

According to Stewart, the department had a very strong applicant pool and other well-qualified applicants also applied for the vacant posts.