Yarnell, Julian appointed as acting police chiefs

MOORESVILLE

The Mooresville Metropolitan Police Commission discussed many changes in the department following the recent retirement of former Mooresville Metropolitan Police Chief Richard Allen.

During Thursday night’s meeting, the commission discussed the need to appoint an acting chief in addition to beginning the process of formally recruiting a new chief.

Commissioner Danny Lundy noted that former chief Allen had retired since the last police commission meeting and recognized his decades of service to the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department.

“During our commission meeting, I would like to express our gratitude for his many, many years of service and all the things he’s done for this department,” said Lundy. “I think that needs to be said.”

As a result of the retirement, the commission needed to appoint an acting chief. Lundy informed those present that Capt. Brad Yarnell, was currently serving as the acting chief of the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department but explained that because he was leaving the department in a month, the commission needed to appoint someone to take over as acting chief after Yarnell left. Lundy explained that the acting chief position was a volunteer position, not a promotion, and stated that there was no additional pay for the position.

Yarnell expressed concerns to the commission about appointing a lieutenant to the position, noting that the department was already going to be short six officers on the road by the end of the year and said that the department could be up to nine or 10 officers short, depending on if more left for other law enforcement departments, like Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) or the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. Yarnell said that taking a lieutenant off the road and putting them into administration would create an issue, as all of the shifts were already short personnel.

Mooresville Police Commissioner Fred Settle said that he understood Yarnell’s concerns but that he had received many calls from officers recommending Lt. Kevin Julian to be acting chief.

“I was blown away with the interview,” said Settle. “Kevin has a lot of great ideas for what he wants to do and how he’s going to be an acting working chief.”

Settle noted that Julian had been with the department for 22 years and said that he believed that Julian would do a great job. Settle made a motion to make Julian the acting chief that died for lack of a second.

Mooresville resident Sondra Cooper asked the commission about the powers and responsibilities of the new chief.

Lundy explained that the acting chief was necessary so that the department had an executive that could make decisions and sign on the dotted line for things but said that that no one person would be able to do it by themselves, emphasizing a need for teamwork.

Cooper also asked if the acting chief could change policies, and Lundy explained that the commission was not willing to make major changes until a new chief was found and hired first. Yarnell noted that due to the salary ordinance, the department might not be able to hire a chief and additional officers.

Lundy said that in “the spirit of teamwork,” he would agree with Settle’s decision to make Julian acting chief, noting that the commission had to do something, especially with Yarnell leaving soon. Lundy made a motion to approve Resolution 2019-1, making Yarnell acting chief, followed by Julian after Yarnell’s departure from the department. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission also discussed the process for hiring a new police chief for the department. Lundy informed those present that the town had recently hired an HR consulting firm — Waggoner Irwin Scheele and Associates — that could handle recruitment for the commission. Lundy explained that the commission would meet with the firm in executive session to let it know what the commission was looking for in candidates. After letting the firm handle the recruitment process, interviews with candidates will be held in executive session with the commission’s final selection being sent to the Mooresville Town Council for final approval.

Lundy made a motion for the commission to request assistance from Waggoner Irwin Scheele and Associates. The motion passed unanimously.

Officer recognitions

The Mooresville Metropolitan Police Commission recognized the service of three officers at Thursday night’s meeting as a part of the Officer Recognition Program for the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department .

The commission recognized Officer Daniel Enkhorn’s 10 years of service, Officer Matthew McDaniel’s 11 years of service and Julian’s 22 years of service. Each officer was present with a certificate noting their service.

Department updates

The commission heard department updates from Yarnell, who informed them that the department is still in the process of cleaning out the old station, but said the move went well. He noted that there were some computer issues that had yet to be resolved.

“We’re getting there,” said Yarnell. “It’s operational, and we’re working.”

Yarnell also provided updates on the hiring process for a new officer. He informed them that the hiring process had been effectively put on hold with the chief’s retirement. He explained that there was an applicant with police academy experience, but reiterated that the other applications had effectively been put on hold due to all the department had going on, moving into a new building amidst the chief’s retirement.

“If we could finish him, we could possibly move him into one position that we currently have open,” said Yarnell.

SOP updates

Records Clerk for the Mooresville Police Department Amanda Carnell informed the commission that there were issues with the department’s Silver Alert “standard operating procedure” (SOP) due to changes made in January.

As a result, and to minimize the number of SOP changes in the future, Carnell presented updated SOPs that split the Silver, Amber and Blue alerts into different SOPs — SOP 10-01 for Silver Alerts, SOP 10-02 for Amber Alerts, SOP 10-03 for Blue Alerts, with SOP 10-04 staying the same for the Indiana Clearinghouse for Missing Childrens and Adults.

Lundy made a motion to accept the SOP changes that passed unanimously.

In other business

Settle made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting that passed unanimously.

The next meeting of the Mooresville Police Commission at 6 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the Mooresville Police Station, 445 S. Indiana St.

~ By Anthony Woodside | Reporter | Published August 17, 2019 in The Mooresville Times

Mooresville Police Commission recognizes officers

MOORESVILLE — The Mooresville Metropolitan Police Commission recognized the first officers as part of the newly created Officer Recognition Program for the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department at Thursday night’s meeting.

Officer Mark Bailey was presented with his five year service certificate by commissioners Danny Lundy and Fred Settle. Bailey is currently assigned to the K-9 division on the late shift.

Detective Chad Richhart was presented with his fifteen year service certificate by commissioners Lundy and Settle. Richhart is currently assigned to the Detective Division on day shift.

Richhart was also presented with the department’s first Distinguished Service Award for his work on a case in 2016 involving a murdered child. Lundy said that Richart’s exemplary handling of the case made him more than deserving of the award.

“According to the prosecutor in that case, ‘Chad’s work in this case was truly exemplary and led to two convictions in cases with some very challenging facts and circumstances,’” said Lundy. “The prosecutor goes on to say that ‘Detective Richhart is a true professional and a real asset to the Mooresville Police Department and the Morgan County Major Crimes Task Force.’ and that ‘Chad is a true example of the professionalism that we all hope to see in all of our employees.’’

Richhart has been working this case for more than two years and earlier this year, the Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions in this case.”

“The court even went out of its way to mention his handling of the case, his concern for the victim and compliment his ability to preserve the evidence,” said Lundy. “I can think of no one more deserving to receive our first Distinguished Service Award.”

In other business

Police Chief Richard Allen introduced the Mooresville Police Commission to the departments three newly hired police officers: Joshua Obermeyer, Levi Martin, and Eric Leap. Allen informed the commission that the officers would be attending the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy from Sept. 16 to Dec. 27 and stated that they would be taking their physical agility assessment on Sept. 9.

Allen also informed the board that AT&T and Endeavour Communications continued to finish work at the new police station and said that the tentative move-in date for the department was Aug. 12. Allen also stated that the department had held an open house at the new station on Monday and that turn-out had been good, with positive responses given on the new station.

Lundy informed the commission and those present that the Mooresville Town Council had passed a motion to engage with human resources company, Waggoner Irwin Scheele and Associates. Lundy explained that the company would examine and update the policies, procedures, standard operating procedures and directives for the police department, as well as the town’s other departments. Lundy stated that the company was experienced working with municipalities and that after everything was reviewed, with the company’s recommendations, the department would be brought up to federal, state and local standards.

“I’m really excited about it,” said Lundy. “I think it’s going to be great for all the departments in town. I think this HR component is something that’s been much needed for a long time.”

Police Commision attorney Charles Braun informed the commission that Commissioner Larry Bryant had submitted his resignation as a member of the Police Commission after 11 years of service and said that he wanted to recognize his service.

“I just wanted to publicly commend him for his many years of service to the police department, to the police commission and community,” said Braun. “I’ve had the honor of being the attorney for the Mooresville Police Commission for many many years … it was always a pleasure to work with Larry. His leadership, his knowledge, his wisdom was always great and beneficial for the police commission and the police department.”

Allen presented monthly statistics for the month of June to the board. Allen reported 261 incident reports, 60 arrest reports, 106 citations, 367 warnings and 2,267 computer-aided dispatch calls. Allen also said that in April, there were 26 accident reports, 19 instances of property damage, five personal injuries, two hit-and-runs and no fatalities. According to Allen, there were 455 total 911 calls for June. Allen also stated that the department had reported 41 hours of comp time, 99.75 hours of overtime and 19,516 miles for mileage.

The next meeting of the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Commission will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug 15. at the Mooresville Police Department.

~ By Anthony Woodside | Reporter | Published July 24, 2019 in The Mooresville Times

A project to be proud of

MOORESVILLE — Members of the public got a rare peek “behind the curtain” of the recently completed Mooresville Metropolitan Police Station during an open house hosted by the police personnel Monday ahead of their anticipated move into the building next month.

During the open house, officers and dispatchers led visitors on tours of the new station and many dignitaries, including town council members and State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R- District 60) and State Sen. Rodric Bray (R- District 37) were present to take a look.

Features of the new police station include a new evidence locker, two holding cells, two work stations for visiting detectives, a large training facility located in the basement, security cameras throughout the whole building that can be monitored by dispatch, increased space in the squad room with two additional workstations, and three drive-thru bays.

Many who attended, including former Mooresville Town Councilwoman Virginia Perry, praised the new station as a win-win.

“I am so glad I signed off on this when I was on the town council,” said Perry. “It was so needed. … This is a good thing for the town, it’s a good deal for the taxpayers.”

That opinion was one shared by many current members of the Mooresville Town Council who were also present at the open house.

“It’s been one of my biggest accomplishments on the council,” said councilman Dave Rogers. “This is the third police station since I’ve been in this town. It’s neat to see it go from the old town hall to the other police station to here. … We’ve included space for future growth, so hopefully, it lasts for a long time. It’s a great location — close to everything and easy to find for people coming into town.”

“I think through a lot of effort from a lot of good folks we were able to get this put together,” said councilman Mark Mathis. “I’m extremely proud of it, and I think the town of Mooresville should be proud of it as well.”

Mathis helped spearhead the new police station project, something that was recognized by some of his fellow council members during the open house.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said councilwoman Jessica Hester. “I think it turned out great. Mr. Mathis did a great job.”

“It was his forward thinking,” said council president Tom Warthen. “That’s where this came from.”

Officers serving with the MMPD also shared their thoughts on the building that will soon be their new home away from home.

“I think it’s great,” said Det. Chad Richhart. “I think it’s wonderful. It’s nice to have the (detective’s) room. It looks great and is something to be proud of. Everybody seems to be very impressed.”

“I’m looking forward to moving in,” said officer Kevin Julian.

“I think it’s turned out very nice,” said officer Randy Rogers. “They put a lot of state-of-the-art equipment in it. It’s a very elaborate police station. … I imagine we’ll be in it for many many years to come. I think it was money well spent.”

During the open house, Mayfield presented a state flag from the capitol to the department and said that the town had done a good job with the space.

“I think they’ll really like it,” said Mayfield. “There’s room to work, room to grow. They’re not making do with the space in the other building. This is custom-made for what they need. It makes things a lot easier. … This is going to be very nice. … The town of Mooresville is very lucky.”

Bray agreed, taking particular note of the practicality that the new space offered the department.

“I’m excited for Mooresville,” said Bray. “It looks beautiful, but more importantly, it looks very functional. I think they’ll be able to use this for many years to come.”

Mooresville Police Commissioner Danny Lundy said that he hoped that the new building would increase efficiency within the department, allowing officers to keep the community safer.

“I like it,” said Lundy. “I think it’s gonna be great for the guys. The evidence room, itself, looks really nice. The new dispatch center is gonna help a lot. It’s going to be really good. Our guys having a proper space like this is going to help them do their jobs much better.”

Mooresville Police Chief Richard Allen said that he was happy to see so much of the public show up to the open house to see the station before it opened.

“We’ve had a great turnout,” said Allen. “I’m tickled to death that we had as great turnout as we had. … I want to thank the citizens and taxpayers of Mooresville.

Allen also said that he was pleased with all of the work that had been completed and noted that most of the contractors who worked on the project came from local business.

“Of all the vendors who worked on this, most of them are local vendors,” said Allen. “I think it’s very good and I’m very proud of everybody’s work.”

Fellow ranking law enforcement official, Morgan County Sheriff Rich Myers also praised the station and said that the people of Mooresville had something to be proud of.

“This is amazing,” said Myers. “I’m pleased for the people of Mooresville and the community here and what they’ve done. They’ve really looked to the future and expansion and seen the need for space later on and have taken care of that. I’m overjoyed at what they’ve been able to do here in the space that the have and the future of this building.”

Warthen said that the town’s use of the building was it turning a potential bad situation around, allowing them to put an empty building to use, while also expanding space for the town’s officers.

“This is the culmination of many things,” said Warthen. “This was taking an existing building that could have become an undesirable use. The town purchased it … and then we did request and received money from the redevelopment board money for the remodel. We received a total of $1.45 million from our redevelopment board to be used for nothing but rehabbing this building and getting it into the shape it’s in now. … We’re hoping this is a building that will last the town of Mooresville for a long time.”

Warthen explained that once the police station was formally open and operational, members of the public would not be able to tour at their leisure like they were during the open house.

“We wanted to share it with the public,” said Warthen. “Once this is up and running, you and I aren’t allowed down here.”

The MMPD is expected to move into their new building located at 445 S Indiana St., within the next month following the resolution of IT issues.

~ By Anthony Woodside | Reporter | Published July 16, 2019 in The Mooresville Times