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Elkhart commission approves six new police hires; chief outlines staffing, training timeline
Summary
The Elkhart Police Merit Commission unanimously approved the hiring and swearing-in of six applicants. Chief Dan Melanes described current staffing levels, recruiting progress, and training timelines for lateral and academy recruits.
The Elkhart Police Merit Commission on an undisputed vote approved hiring six applicants to the Elkhart Police Department and recessed for a mayor-led swearing-in ceremony.
Chief Dan Melanes presented the six candidates and summarized each applicant's background before the commission voted to approve hiring Desmond Wilkins Maxwell, Seth Baze, Caleb Rucker, Paige Hershberger, Trenton Jacks, and Connor Gibson. The commission voted 4-0 in favor of each hire.
The hiring matters because the department is actively rebuilding sworn staffing. Melanes told commissioners that, with the six officers sworn in that day, the department’s number of open positions will fall from 23 to 17; after three additional hires expected…
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