The city of Covington and the Covington Police Department swore in four new officers at Monday night’s city council meeting, amid trying times for police officers.

“It is an incredible honor for me to not only swear in the officers, but with what you all deal with and the courage it takes to do that job, I want you to know this council and the city of Covington is behind you 100 percent,” Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston said. “To go into that field right now is a great thing.”

Quin Pitts, Slade McCullough, John Rhodes and George Smith IV are the newest members to go into that field with the CPD.

Among Pitts qualifications are that he was an Eagle Scout, a member of the police academy and citizens academy. McCullough served in the military in Desert Storm and grew up in Covington. Rhodes is also a graduate of the police academy and has previously worked in law enforcement agencies. George Smith IV, called I.V. by his fellow officers, also has military experience, serving in the Middle East, and was formerly of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Both Johnston and Councilman Chris Smith were in New York recently, and commented on that experience to the crowd attending Monday’s meeting.

“I was walking around about two hours before they had a march, and there were thousands of police officers lining the streets,” Johnston said. “They were there to protect the marchers; they were there to make sure they were safe; and the march was about them.

“I was in awe of the dedication to do their job.”