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North Salt Lake swears in five officers and honors retiring deputy chief
Summary
City leaders swore in five new North Salt Lake Police Department officers and presented retirement recognitions to Deputy Chief Terry Fritz, who leaves after decades in law enforcement. Chief introduced a therapy dog in training funded by grant and fundraising.
The North Salt Lake City Council on June 3 ceremonially swore in five police officers and recognized Deputy Chief Terry Fritz on his retirement after a long law-enforcement career.
Mayor (speaker 1) opened the meeting and invited Chief Black (speaker 2) to introduce the new officers: Destin Coontz, Jorge Carmona Mattis, Tyson Bishop, Jessica Lancaster and Meghan Kenny. Chief Black said the group brings a range of backgrounds to the department, including previous work with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Salt Lake School District, Salt Lake Community College Police Academy and a deputy position in Placer County, California. “They’re just wonderful officers to have,” Chief Black said, urging the council and community to welcome them.
Each officer gave a brief introduction. Destin Coontz (speaker 4) said he moved to North Salt Lake a year ago and expects to remain with the department. Jorge Carmona Mattis (speaker 5) thanked his family for support and said he appreciated the chance to serve. Jessica Lancaster (speaker 3) and Tyson Bishop (speaker 6) described academy experience and department training; Meghan Kenny (speaker 7) noted she brings prior deputy experience to the role.
Chief Black also introduced Myla, a therapy dog in training to be assigned to the department’s school-resource officer at Spectrum Academy. He said roughly half the dog’s summer training was grant-funded and the department is raising funds to cover the remainder. “She’s in training all summer to deal with the variety of circumstances she’s gonna face,” Chief Black said.
Council members and the mayor posed a ceremonial oath and invited family members to pin badges. After the swearing-in, Chief Black recognized Deputy Chief Terry Fritz (speaker 12), who the chief said had served with the city for seven to eight years and had a 30-plus-year law enforcement career overall. The council presented Fritz with a shadow box of badges and a retirement firearm from the city. Fritz thanked the council and department and reflected on changes in policing across his career: “It was a pleasure to work here in a well-policed community,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with a request that the council and public photograph the group and share thanks — and a reminder from the chief of the department’s commitment to de-escalation and community guardianship.
