Photo: Left to right, Chief Brian Valenti, Jacob Noe, Mayor Joe Meyer, Courtney Harkless, and Phouthakone  Homphothichack.

2 re-hires and a new recruit sworn in today

COVINGTON, Ky. – Mayor Joe Meyer administered the oath of office to three police officers today at City Hall.

For Phouthakone Homphothichack and Jacob Noe, it’s a return to serving the community as law enforcement professionals.

Homphothichack, known as HP, served 20 years as a Covington Police Officer, where he was a member of the Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics team for more than 8 years. He’s a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Noe has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, having served with the Kenton County Police Department and, most recently, the Taylor Mill Police Department. Noe is also a veteran of the U.S. Army. He has a degree in criminal justice from Northern Kentucky University.

“They should have a very short training period, then they will be out on the street, assigned to answer calls within a couple of weeks,” said Chief Brian Valenti, adding that the department is hoping for more laterals and retiree rehires like Homphothichack and Noe.

The City recently approved a $15,000 stipend for the department to entice more officers to take advantage of a statewide program that allows retired officer to be re-hired on a one-year contract, to help deal with staffing shortages.

New recruit Courtney Harkless comes to the role as a University of Cincinnati graduate with a degree in criminal justice. Harkless interned with Covington PD earlier this year.

Valenti said Harkless will leave for the Kentucky State Police Academy in Richmond in November.

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