Plano Police Department’s new officers bring experience with them

Two experienced officers have joined the Plano Police Department.

While both officers were lateral transfers brought on with experience from other departments, both are also already familiar with the community.

Brian Hart and Cory Christenson were sworn in as patrols officers during a city council meeting at City Hall, Jan. 24.

Hart and Christenson are the department’s 23rd and 24th officers, bringing the department to full staff, according to Lt. Norm Allison.

City attorney William Thomas swore-in the two officers as Mayor Mike Rennels witnessed the ceremony.

Christenson, began his career with the department in 2018 but transferred to the Carol Stream Police Department where he has worked for the past four years

Hart is from the area, last working with the Aurora University Police Department.

The lateral transfer program is used to bring on experienced officers from other departments and allows them to forgo the academy, getting them onto the street much faster than new cadets.

Officers brought on through the program are expected to go through 15 weeks of field training, and will be entry level patrol officers upon completion of training, according to Allison.

Plano first implemented the lateral transfer program in 2021, and have now brought on a total of four officers with previous experience, including Hart and Christenson.

“Just like a normal new hire we do the extensive backgrounds for lateral transfers and both are great candidates, both are excited to be here, and we’re happy to have them.” Allison said. “We look forward to a long career for both of them.”