Elkhart police approve radio-service contract, purchase of radios and MOA allowing concealable rifles for school officers

The Elkhart Board of Public Safety voted Oct. 14 to approve three police-related items: a training agreement with Emergency Radio Services, the purchase of 14 Motorola portable radios, and a memorandum of agreement with Elkhart Community Schools regarding school safety officers.

Andy Whitmire, assistant chief of the Elkhart Police Department, told the board the ERS agreement will permit an experienced former city employee now with ERS to visit twice each year to update radio systems and transfer technical knowledge to two department employees. The board approved the ERS agreement in the amount of $2,800.50 and authorized Captain Travis Snyder to sign the document.

The board also approved the purchase of 14 Motorola portable radios from Emergency Radio Services for $99,979.71 as part of a multiyear refresh plan designed to keep the department’s equipment current and serviceable.

On school safety, Whitmire presented a memorandum of agreement with Elkhart Community Schools that would allow officers assigned full time to a school to carry a concealable rifle stored in a backpack while on campus. Whitmire described the policy as intended to give officers an additional option to address a threat while avoiding visible, carried rifles in hallways. The board voted unanimously to approve the MOA with Elkhart Community Schools.

All three motions passed with recorded unanimous voice votes; the minutes record no public comment on these items.