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Elkhart commission approves 30‑day unpaid suspension for Corporal Jeffrey Gorbel; chief issues reprimand for detective
Summary
At a regular meeting of the Elkhart Police Merit Commission, the commission voted 5–0 to approve a chief’s request to suspend Corporal Jeffrey Gorbel without pay for 30 days; Chief Dan Melanes also notified commissioners that Detective Scott Hauser received a letter of reprimand and supervisory counseling for a policy violation.
At a meeting of the Elkhart Police Merit Commission, commissioners approved a 30‑day unpaid suspension for Corporal Jeffrey Gorbel and accepted a departmental reprimand for Detective Scott Hauser. The actions were presented by Chief Dan Melanes.
Chief Dan Melanes told the commission he requested a 30‑day suspension without pay for Corporal Jeffrey Gorbel for conduct arising from a February 20 call for service. “I have requested a 30 day suspension, without pay for corporal Jeff Gorbel,” the chief said. The chief said Gorbel had been notified and had not requested a hearing; the commission voted to approve the request by roll call, 5–0 (Jean Mays — yes; Thomas Barber — yes; Clifton Hildreth — yes; Brad Billings — yes; Jim Rickoff — yes).
Separately, Melanes said he had issued a letter of reprimand to Detective Scott Hauser for a violation described in department materials as “policy 3 20.5 0.9 f,” citing disrespectful and unprofessional conduct while speaking with a coworker. The chief said the complaint was sustained, that Hauser “was disrespectful and unprofessional,” and that the department issued a letter of reprimand and supervisor counseling. The chief described the Hauser action as an administrative discipline he was authorized to issue and said no hearing had been requested.
Commissioners discussed scheduling after the suspension vote. The chief indicated Captain Hamlin, who oversees the patrol division where Corporal Gorbel is assigned, will be notified to schedule the suspension now that the commission has approved it. Commissioners asked whether the Gorbel incident was verbal or physical; the chief said it was verbal only.
The commission record shows the suspension motion passed by roll call and that the reprimand for Detective Hauser was presented to commissioners as a notification from the chief, not as a commission‑initiated hearing or action. No hearings were requested on either matter during the meeting.
The chief said disciplinary steps typically include corrective measures such as supervisor counseling or referrals to the department’s assistance programs alongside formal discipline.
