Schererville board shortens police inspection schedule, unanimously promotes Officer Sean Leto to corporal

The Schererville Town Board unanimously approved a revision to police General Order 03.08 that reduces full-department inspections from quarterly to twice a year, and voted unanimously to promote Officer Sean Leto to corporal during its regular meeting.

Police Chief Peter Sormoz told the board that the department will continue monthly sergeant-led unit checks but will conduct full inspections biannually — once during the annual memorial service and once in the fall — to avoid redundancy and improve efficiency. "We thought that was a little bit redundant. So to increase a little efficiency there, we're just gonna update the policy to do it twice a year," Sormoz said while presenting the update.

Chief Sormoz also recommended promotion of Officer Sean Leto, who joined the Schererville Police Department on June 27, 2022, and previously served seven years with a neighboring agency. Sormoz cited Leto's patrol experience, defensive-tactics certification, role as a field training officer and participation on the regional SWAT team in recommending his elevation to corporal. The board approved the promotion and Chief Sormoz called Leto forward to receive his badge.

Chairman Robert Volkman asked for motions on both items. The motion to adopt General Order 03.08 as revised passed unanimously; the board recorded a similar unanimous vote to promote Leto. The minutes show the board also approved the prior meeting minutes earlier in the agenda by unanimous voice vote.

The shift from quarterly to biannual full inspections does not replace sergeant-level monthly unit inspections, according to the chief's presentation. No budgetary changes or outside approvals were reported in the meeting record. Fire Chief Robert Patterson and other department leaders noted recent community events — including a well-attended National Night Out — during their reports but did not link those events to the policy change.

During public comment, a resident representing Logan's Love announced an autism walk scheduled for Aug. 24 at Central Park in Dyer; the board did not take action on that item. The meeting adjourned following routine business.

Votes at a glance: - General Order 03.08 (Inspection Services) — Motion to approve revised policy (change inspections to twice yearly): Passed unanimously (all voting members present voted yes). - Promotion of Officer Sean Leto to corporal — Motion to approve promotion: Passed unanimously (all voting members present voted yes).