EPHRATA — Ephrata’s newest sworn police officer is a local girl who is deeply committed to working in Grant County.

“I’m very excited about working in my hometown,” said Elizabeth Kallstrom, 25, who finally received her badge Wednesday evening.

Kallstrom was sworn in during a regular meeting of the Ephrata City Council by Police Chief Mike Warren, who said the city’s police force is now up to “full strength.”

“Our first commitment is to the citizens of our great city and that means the patrol division comes first,” Warren told the city council. “I am happy to say that with the hiring of Elizabeth we are now at full strength.”

Warren said, however, Kallstrom’s greatest asset would be her deep roots to the Ephrata community.

“She’s a local and she’s committed to the community,” Warren said. “She’s really community-oriented, she enjoys kids. It’s a positive thing so far; she’s fitting in real well.”

“She’s going to be a good fit,” Warren added.

Kallstrom was raised on a dairy farm south of Ephrata, and has been both homeschooled and attended the public schools in Ephrata. She has long wanted to work in law enforcement, and after an internship with the U.S. Marshals Service in Seattle, she completed Washington State’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Burien, and then went to work for the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, where she worked until August.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at [email protected].