Julian eyed for chief post: Final decision now goes to town council

MOORESVILLE — The Mooresville Police Commission has made a recommendation on whom it believes should serve as the town’s next police chief.

On Thursday evening, the police commission voted to recommend current interim chief Lt. Kevin Julian to serve in the chief’s role on a permanent basis.

Julian has been serving in the role on an interim basis since shortly after former Chief Richard Allen retired in early August.

During the police commission’s meeting on Thursday night, commission member Danny Lundy noted there was an executive session on Tuesday to go over background checks for the chief of police position.

“There was nothing in there that would give us any concern,” Lundy said.

Lundy then made the motion to recommend Julian to the role as police chief.

According to Lundy, Julian has 32 years of experience in law enforcement, 22 of which are with the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department.

“(Julian has) 10 years of supervisory experience and is currently a lieutenant with MPD,” Lundy added.

Lundy then went on to say that the offer is conditional, pending approval by the Mooresville Town Council.

“And salary will be set in accordance with the current town of Mooresville salary ordinance,” Lundy said.

Commission member Ernie Wilson then seconded Lundy’s motion, which was approved unanimously, 3-0.

Julian then thanked the commission members for the recommendation to appoint him as the town’s next police chief.

Currently, the next scheduled meeting of the Mooresville Town Council is set for Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Mooresville Government Center, 4 E. Harrison St.

Updates

Julian reported that the police department would bring in three candidates on Jan. 10 to potentially fill spots that are currently open.

The police department is currently expecting to get a shipment of four new vehicles in February, and that the Muncie Police Department is planning on purchasing those cars.

“I think our potential is to try to come back to the town council at the first of the year (and) see if we can get that fifth car,” Julian said.

Julian also noted that the town recently hired one part-time dispatcher, who is currently in training.

The Victorian Christmas event went well this year, and Julian also reported on this year’s Christmas for Kids.

“We were able to take 12 families, and 22 kids, and get them some clothes and toys,” Julian added.

Attorney update

Police Commission Attorney Charles Braun took time to publicly commend a few people toward the end of Thursday night’s meeting

“It is popular these days to attack and criticize public officials, to only be negative and never the mention the positive,” Braun said.

Braun said it is not easy to be an interim chief, and that the role is very demanding.

“And I want to publicly commend you for your period of duty as interim chief,” Braun told Julian.

Braun then commended the professionalism of the three members of the police commission.

“These commissioners did everything possible to make sure that it was professionally done in a fundamentally fair fashion,” Braun said.

The next scheduled meeting of the Mooresville Police Commission is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, 445 S. Indiana St., Mooresville.

~ By Published December 20, 2019 in The Mooresville Times