BROWNSBURG, Ind. — The Brownsburg Police Commission on Oct. 14 approved a recruitment schedule that will open pre-applications Oct. 15 and set written and physical testing for Nov. 22, the commission chair said.

Chief Joseph Grimes also announced his selection of Sergeant Joe Fultz to succeed Captain Jeff Clare, who is retiring early next year. Grimes said Fultz will receive cross-training before formally taking the enforcement unit captain role in February or March.

The recruitment plan and separate promotion processes for corporal and sergeant ranks were adopted by motion. The commission approved the plan after Grimes described a multi-step hiring approach that will accommodate lateral hires and certified new graduates. Grimes told the commission the current hiring eligibility list will remain active until a new list is created from this recruitment.

Why it matters: The timeline is intended to keep the department’s hiring and promotion pipelines aligned during a period of planned retirements and leadership transitions.

Grimes outlined next steps and timelines. He said at least three candidates have applied for the open training-coordinator role that will be filled when Fultz moves to captain; oral interviews for corporal and sergeant promotions are tentatively scheduled for Nov. 13–14, with promotion recommendations to return to the commission by its December meeting. Grimes asked that a police commission member serve on the interview panels; one commissioner volunteered.

The commission also heard a conditional-offer update: recruit Adam Hazelwood has passed the CVSA (criminal-voice screening/clearance referenced by the chief) and is awaiting scheduling for the psychological exam and physical. Grimes said, “Once those are completed and we have those results and as long as he successfully completes those phases, he'll then go in front of the local pension board. Once approved by a local pension board, it will go to Empress for final approval on the 1977 fund.” (Transcript phrasing retained.)

Sergeant Joe Fultz, who spoke after the chief’s announcement, said: “I look forward to getting started in learning the new role, and serving alongside the department that works tirelessly every every day.”

Decisions and votes: The recruitment plan (pre-application window Oct. 15–Nov. 17; physical/written testing Nov. 22) was approved by motion. The commission also voted to approve the promotion processes for corporal and sergeant and to maintain the current eligibility list until the new recruitment results are certified.

Implementation notes: Grimes said the promotion and hiring steps are aggressive and timed around holidays; he requested flexibility on specific dates. He said cross-training will occur between the outgoing captain and the incoming captain to support succession planning.

The commission also approved its proposed 2026 meeting dates and asked the police commission secretary to notify town leadership of the approval.

Ending: The commission moved on after approving the personnel actions and scheduling items; Grimes said he will return with promotion recommendations in December.