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Burns Harbor police chief reports progress on two new officers' field training
Summary
Police Chief McCard told the Burns Harbor Board of Commissioners that two recently hired officers are progressing through field training; one is nearly independent while the other still must complete NHTSA-standard field sobriety training.
At a recent Burns Harbor Board of Commissioners meeting, Police Chief McCard reported that two new officers are continuing field training and that the department expects one to be released to solo patrol by the end of the month if training proceeds as planned.
The report matters because additional certified officers would reduce current staffing burdens on the department, Chief McCard said. He described ongoing supervised shifts and final steps needed before full independence.
Police Chief McCard said, "I think the biggest thing is just to continue field training with both of our new officers." He said Officer Bennett "is picking it up fast" and is operating in his own car while continuing to work under the supervision of Assistant Chief Lucas. On Officer Grantwater, Chief McCard said the remaining requirement is "going through field sobriety and stuff like that, making sure that he can implement that as according to NHTSA standards." The chief added that he and Grantwater "are working midnights now at this point, which is fantastic." He said, if "everything goes as according to the plan, he'll be released and on his own, which will relieve a lot of the burden that we're currently having."
The chief's remarks were delivered as part of the meeting's routine reports; commissioners did not take formal action on staffing or training during the session. The report did not specify exact certification dates, any changes to budgets, or additional hires beyond the two officers discussed.
Also during the meeting a commissioner noted department presence at a community event, referring to "Footloose," but no further details or related actions were discussed. The department did not present a written timeline or budget amendment for the anticipated change in patrol staffing.
Meeting participants identified Chief McCard, Assistant Chief Lucas, Officer Bennett and Officer Grantwater by title during the report. Commissioners present listened but did not propose motions tied to the chief's update.
The update provides near-term operational context for town public safety: one officer appears close to completing training, and the other requires completion of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) field sobriet y standards before becoming independent.
