Brittany Allen was sworn in as the newest officer for the Worthington Police Department on Tuesday evening, and the WPD’s roster of full-time officers is now three-strong.

Worthington Town Council President Tom Franklin administers the oath to Brittany Allen, with Clerk-Treasurer Debbie Dyer in the background.

Deputy Marshal Allen, a resident of rural Worthington, was sworn in by Town Council President Tom Franklin during the council’s regular monthly meeting in the Municipal Building.

In introducing Allen, Franklin said the council conducted interviews with prospective applicants two weeks ago and after discussions, they settled on Allen. The vote to hire Allen was unanimous with four council members present. Councilman Tom Shelton was unable to attend due to health issues.

“We’ve been working hard to have a team effort on the police department and we are very fortunate to have these three officers,” said Franklin.

Allen will join Town Marshal Jim O’Malley, sworn-in in December, and Deputy Marshal Ryan Montgomery, sworn-in in January, on the WPD.

The roster of the Worthington Police Department now includes Deputy Marshal Brittany Allen, Town Marshal Jim O’Malley and Deputy Marshal Ryan Montgomery.

Council member Kim Archer echoed Franklin’s remarks and said she was very excited about the new officers, welcomed them and said, “Thank you ahead of time.”

Town Marshal Jim O’Malley said he and Deputy Marshal Ryan Montgomery have felt welcomed in the community.

“We’ve had a lot of good responses,” said O’Malley.

Following the vote and Allen taking the oath, O’Malley presented her with her badge. Her appointment is effective immediately.

Now that WPD has three full-time officers in place, O’Malley indicated they will be adding reserve officers at some point in the future.

After she was sworn in, Town Marshal Jim O’Malley presented a badge to Deputy Marshal Brittany Allen.

After the meeting, Allen explained that although she is not a native of Greene County, she and her family chose the Worthington area as the place where they wanted to buy a country place and put down roots.

Since graduating school in Florida, Allen earned an associate degree in paralegal studies, followed by a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in teaching and learning history and politics.

Allen is a veteran of the US Marine Corps, having served her country for five years.

Allen and her husband, Hillman Allen, together are the parents of six children.

(Other items discussed during this month’s meeting will be covered in a separate story on another day.)

(Note: This story was posted on The Worthington Times Facebook page on Tuesday night.)