Council confirms Officer Lucas Forte; chief outlines pursuits, training, radio purchase and sergeant exam

The Commercial Point Village Council voted to confirm Officer Lucas Forte after council members said his performance during probation improved and training officers recommended confirmation.

Police Chief reported two separate incidents in September that produced indictments for fleeing and drug possession. In one chase officers recovered methamphetamine and cocaine after suspects threw packages from a vehicle; another stop led to a collision and at least one suspect required use of less-lethal force, the chief said.

The chief asked council to authorize accelerating a planned radio replacement purchase because the vendor (Motorola) is offering a 40% equipment incentive for purchases completed before Dec. 10. He said the village would save roughly $20,000 by buying this year rather than in the 2026 budget; batteries and programming fees are separate costs.

Personnel and training: the chief described expanded training this year—active shooter simulation, night shooting and vehicle-based exercises—and said officers will attend narcotics-interdiction and first-line supervisor courses next season. He announced a written exam and study guide for sergeant candidates to formalize promotional selection criteria.

Employment-rule change: council approved a motion to change the employee guidelines to classify the sergeant position as hourly rather than salaried; the change formalizes a shift discussed previously and will be reflected in the employee guidelines rather than an ordinance.

Ending: No council member opposed Forte’s confirmation; council asked staff to include the radio purchase and any required appropriations on the next administrative agenda for formal action.