New Columbus program brings first lateral transfer officer

Columbus city officials have hired their first police officer under a new lateral transfer program that allows recruits to see credit toward their longevity pay and paid time off based on previous full-time service in other departments.

According to the department, officer Joshua Gurkins was sworn in Monday morning by Mayor Mary Ferdon.

Gurkins is originally from North Carolina. An Army veteran, he served as a military police officer for five years. After leaving the service, he moved to Indiana and worked in the security field. He was hired in 2020 by Johnson County Community Corrections, then as a Marion County deputy and in 2023 began serving as a police officer with the Martinsville Police Department.

He holds an associate’s degree from Daymar College.

City officials say that he is the first officer hired under the new Columbus lateral transfer program. Transferring officers can be credited for up to eight years.

Gurkins will now begin training with Columbus instructors before entering the city department’s field training program.

Photos courtesy of Columbus Police Department.