The Dowagiac community has two new protectors roaming its streets.

Director of Public Safety Steven Grinnewald introduced two of the department’s latest hires to the Dowagiac City Council Monday evening: officers Thorn Lewis and Andrew Hafler. The two men have been brought into the fold to cover for recent losses in department personnel, Grinnewald said.

“A lot of bigger departments are hiring again, which means we’re losing people,” he said. “We just can’t compete with the bigger departments that have more opportunities and more things going on.”

Despite the losses, the members of the Dowagiac Police Department filling in the gaps are no slouches themselves, with both Lewis and Hafler having over a dozen combined years of law enforcement experience. In addition, they have the right mix of honesty, professional and integrity that city expects of its protectors, Grinnewald said.

“We look at this department as a family, and these individuals are going to be hired to be part of that family,” Grinnewald said. “We want to make sure we bring in the right individuals that will fit well. People that are dedicated to community; not just to community but to this community.”

The chief first introduced Lewis to the council. A native of South Bend, he has worked with the Cassopolis Police Department for the past nine years, recently winning an accommodation from the village for solving over 80 percent of his cases.

“He came very highly recommended by his peers to us,” Grinnewald said

The officer is also active in the community, and is a frequent participant in the VFW’s Shop With a Cop program.

Hafler, a native of the City of Holland, was up next. He has spent the last two years working as a seasonal officer with the South Haven Police Department, and has also worked a year and a half with the Ingham County Sheriff’s Department as corrections deputy.

“He’s the oldest of four boys in his family, so he’s used to getting beat up and everything else,” the chief joked. “He’ll fit in just fine.”

Both men are currently undergoing department training, and should be out on the streets in the near future, Grinnewald said.

“It’s nice that both of you have such high training before coming to us,” said Councilmember Bob Schurr. “It’s a welcome addition. We already have a fine force, and you’ll just add to that.”