Judah Hartenstein joins Covington Police Department as new officer

Covington, Kentucky welcomed its newest police officer, Judah Hartenstein, during a ceremony at City Hall. Hartenstein, who is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Ohio Army National Guard and a former Montana Highway Patrol Trooper, took the oath of office administered by Mayor Ron Washington.

Hartenstein has been serving as a patrol officer in Montana since September 2021. He joined the Ohio National Guard in February 2017 and became a 2nd lieutenant in August 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati and hails from Liberty Township, Ohio.

During the ceremony, Mayor Washington spoke about Covington’s diversity and the challenges faced by police officers today. "It’s a tough job but it’s a very honorable job," he said. "And I’m not going to lie to you – it’s a fun job."

Police Chief Brian Valenti presented Hartenstein with his badge and emphasized the core values represented on it: integrity, professionalism, justice, compassion, and respect. "These represent our core values," Valenti stated. "I look forward to having you on the street."

Hartenstein will enter Covington's in-house field training program after completing training specific to Kentucky law and procedures.