Lt. Johnathan Foster will replace him as Major of Support
Carmel Police Department (CPD) Major David Strong has announced he will retire after a 37-year career in law enforcement, 35 of those years with CPD. Strong’s last day will be Jan. 30, 2022. Incoming Chief Jeff Horner has appointed Lt. Johnathan Foster to Major of Support.
The Support Division is responsible for providing department-wide support services in the fields of crime scene specialists, evidence, records keeping, training, chaplains, recruitment and hiring, quartermaster, vehicle maintenance, building maintenance, garage, fleet control, research and development, Health and Wellness Program, School Resource Officer Program and various community outreach programs. In addition, the Support Division provides a variety of community educational programs and services including an Internship Program for college students interested in law enforcement.
Strong, a native of Westfield, began his career with CPD in January 1987 and spent the first 18 years on the department in the Operations Division, where he was promoted to the ranks of corporal, sergeant and then lieutenant. He later spent several years in support as the range master before returning to operations as an administrative lieutenant. In January 2011, he was appointed to Major of the Operations Division and then to Major of the Support Division in 2016. He received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Major Strong spent 17 years as part of the SWAT team, four of those years as SWAT Commander. He was a member and team captain of the 2001 World Police and Fire Games gold medalist team and also served as President of the Indiana SWAT Officers Association. Major Strong was awarded CPD’s Medal of Valor, Distinguished Service Awards, Meritorious Service Award, American Red Cross Life Saving Award and 2003 Indiana SWAT Officer of the Year.
He plans to remain in Carmel and spend time with his family and friends, bike riding, hunting and taking time to travel.
John Foster appointed
Lieutenant John Foster has more than 29 years of experience with CPD. He received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and began his career with CPD in November 1992 in the Operations Division where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Foster spent numerous years in administrative lieutenant positions where he supervised the School Resource Unit and other specialty units within the department. He also spent time overseeing hiring and recruitment, department training and managing special events within the city.
Foster has spent the last five years of his career supervising the Criminal Investigations Division and currently serves as one of the department’s firearms instructors and was a member of the SWAT team where he served as an operator, team leader and ultimately, commander.