Three new officers are patrolling the streets of Eureka.
The Eureka Police Department recently added two full-time officers and a reserve officer.
Christian Hilmes and Christian George were hired as full-time officers, replacing retired officers Dave Wilson and Craig Vaughn. Sanda Smajlovic was added as a reserve officer.
On March 2, Board of Aldermen members unanimously approved the hires.
City Administrator Craig Sabo said George began work on March 18, and Hilmes’ first day was Monday. Sabo said each officer will be paid $50,500.
As a reserve officer, Smajlovic was hired for a voluntary position and will not be paid by the city, Sabo said.
Chief Michael Wiegand said the new officers completed written tests, oral board interviews, psychological exams, physical tests, in-depth background investigations and voice stress tests before joining the force.
Wiegand said all three of the new officers have a bachelor’s degree and a Missouri Peace Officers class “A” license, which means they have more than 1,000 hours of law enforcement training.
“We only hire and retain the best officers,” he said.
Hilmes
Hilmes, 23, grew up in Eureka and is a 2015 Eureka High School graduate. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Central Missouri State University.
Before joining the Eureka Police, Hilmes was an officer with Central Missouri State University until 2019.
George
George, 26, also grew up in Eureka and is a 2012 Eureka High School graduate.
He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Central Missouri State University and had been a police officer in Winfield since 2018.
Smajlovic
Smajlovic, 33, was born in Bosnia and graduated from Mehlville High School.
She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. Louis University.
From 2009 to 2020, she was working at the Chesterfield Police Department and left to become assistant director of public safety at Maryville University.
She will continue her role at Maryville University while working as a reserve officer in Eureka.