Two Bluffton police officers were promoted to new ranks and one new officer joined the department during Monday's council meeting.

Council first passed legislation creating new ranks in the department. Following that Ryan Burkholder, police chief, recommended that Matt Oglesbee be promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. This is one of the new positions approved by council.

In addition, Tyler Hostetler, was promoted to sergeant.

A full-time police officer opening occurred upon the recent retirement of Rick Skilliter as police chief and with Ryan Burkholder's appointment as chief.

Eric Rayle was hired on Monday as the new officer. He is a Pandora-Gilboa High School graduate, and a graduate of Ohio Police Officers Training Academy at Owens Community College.

From 2003-13 he was a member of the Pandora police department. In 2013 he joined the Hancock County Sheriff's Department as a corrections officer.

He and his wife, Kaydrie, live at 476 W. Elm St., and are parents of two children.

PHOTOS BELOW -

Matt Oglesbee and Eric Rayle. No photo available for Tyler Hostetler.