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Kearney honors two new police sergeants; oath and badge pinning at council meeting
Summary
Chief Kualik and council recognized the promotion of Derek Hosek and Austin Hibbert to police sergeant; both took the oath of office, had badges pinned and were praised for experience in ESU, community engagement and training roles.
The Kearney City Council meeting opened with a recognition of two newly promoted sergeants in the Kearney Police Department.
Chief Kualik praised the promoted officers for meeting the department’s promotion criteria—competency, character and culture—and noted their roles in mentoring officers and supervising shifts. He highlighted technical and community credentials: one sergeant has served as a case-law resource, field training officer (FTO) and emergency service unit (ESU) team leader; the other has experience as a K-9 handler, SWAT member and drone and motorcycle operator and is active with Special Olympics Nebraska and schools.
Both officers took the oath of office and received badge pinning in a small ceremony; a retired sergeant participated in the pinning of one badge. Chief Kualik and council members congratulated the sergeants, noting both grew up in the community and attended Kearney High School. The council then proceeded to the remainder of its agenda.
The ceremony was brief and ceremonial; no formal council action was required beyond the public recognition and oath.
What’s next: the sergeants will assume supervisory duties, including shift leadership and mentoring responsibilities for patrol officers.
