FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Thursday morning, the City of Fairmont promoted five officers to the rank of Lieutenant.

The officers promoted were Eric Hudson, Adrian Hayhurst, Jack Frost, Tyler Hall and Jared Martin.

“I appreciate all the duties these guys take on. Until you read them off, it’s hard to comprehend all the assignments and responsibilities they have,” Chief of Police Steve Shine said at the ceremony. “I hope that the family members and coworkers that are here are proud of the accomplishments of these officers. I’m honored to serve with them.”

These promotions follow a much larger endeavor to restructure the Fairmont Police Department’s rank structure.

Prior to these changes being approved by City Council earlier this year, the department had a structure of one Chief of Police, two lieutenants and five sergeants.

The new structure will be Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, seven lieutenants and five sergeants. The creation of the Deputy Chief of Police position is pending approval by City Council, but the rest of these changes have already been implemented.

“This restructuring was devised during the negotiations of our most recent contract with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 69. We believe this will better reflect the duties of these officers and provide Fairmont with the best and most organized police presence possible,” City Manager Travis Blosser said. “We have the best municipal police force in the state. Our officers are passionate and committed and these five officers being promoted are the best of the best.”

The department will soon hold a test to determine promotions to fill the five vacated sergeant positions.

The department is also accepting applications for police officers. More information can be found online at www.fairmontwv.gov/Police.