Johnson New Police Officer

The Burr Oak Village Council this week hired a part-time police officer.

The employment of Sturgis resident Steve Johnson, 44, became effective Wednesday. Pay for his anticipated 20 to 25 hours of work per week is still being negotiated by the village council.

Johnson also works as a public safety officer in Benton Harbor and as a member of Tri-Township Fire Department.

The department had been without a part-time officer since last spring, when Todd Lewis was fired after he was found to be intoxicated while on patrol. He was sentenced in September to four months in jail.