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Lebanon police swear in new officers and honor SRO Noah Barber as 2024 officer of the year
Summary
The Lebanon Division of Police introduced several new officers and promoted a sergeant; the department also named School Resource Officer Noah Barber as the division's 2024 Police Officer of the Year for his work with Lebanon Christian Schools and the district SRO program.
The Lebanon Division of Police was on the City Council agenda May 13 for a swearing‑in ceremony for newly hired officers and for recognition of the department’s 2024 Police Officer of the Year, Officer Noah Barber.
Chief Mitchell introduced the new officers and the newly promoted sergeant and noted the agency’s long record of accreditation. “At the heart of every great school is a safe welcoming environment where students can grow, learn, and thrive,” Mitchell said while describing the department’s school resource officer (SRO) program and the role SROs play in prevention, emergency preparedness and student mentoring.
The council and attendees watched swearing‑in ceremonies for Police Officer James Beccleheimer, Police Officer Jeffrey Kircher, Police Officer Joshua Massa and Sergeant David Wilson; each recited the statutory oath for Ohio police officers. Chief Mitchell also announced that Officer Noah Barber, who began with the Lebanon Police on Jan. 7, 2015 and became the SRO for Lebanon Christian Schools in early 2023, was selected by his peers as the division’s 2024 Police Officer of the Year.
Mitchell read the nomination language supplied by the department, noting Barber’s classroom engagement, attendance at after‑school events, and community outreach — including bringing classroom animals for hands‑on science lessons. Several council members and community members thanked Barber during the meeting for his work: one speaker said Barber directs traffic in the morning “with a smile” and another noted Barber’s participation in school and community events.
Council members and the chief emphasized the department’s staffing progress; Chief Mitchell reported the agency has been reaccredited through CALEA and described the SRO program expansion from one to two district SROs since February. The council’s remarks included personal thanks and recognition from elected officials and community members.
No formal council action was required for the ceremony; the council recessed briefly for the swearing and recognition and then continued with the agenda.
