The Town of Merrillville Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved several administrative changes in the police department, accepted an October 2025 statistical report from the chief, and honored Sergeant David DeSalle on his retirement while awarding Officer Lauren Collin a meritorious duty commendation.

During the meeting the police chief reported October 2025 activity totals: 2,516 calls for service, 4,390 officer responses, 488 traffic stops with more than 500 citations issued, 355 traffic warnings, 111 adult arrests, three juvenile arrests, roughly 90 state accident reports and no fatalities. The chief also noted approximately 197 false alarms that staff plan to address with code enforcement.

The board voted unanimously to accept the chief’s report. Commissioners recorded affirmative roll-call votes for several later items, as noted in the meeting record.

The board accepted the retirement letter from Sergeant David DeSalle, who wrote that he began service with the department on 12/30/1997 and described roles including patrol officer, corporal and sergeant plus assignments as a canine officer, school resource officer, firearms instructor and field training officer. DeSalle spoke at the meeting, thanked family and colleagues and urged supervisors to continue mentoring younger officers. “I love you guys,” he said in closing. The board noted and corrected an administrative discrepancy in the letter concerning DeSalle’s stated last day: the board clarified the intended final work date as 01/03/2026.

The board also presented a meritorious police duty commendation for Officer Lauren Collin for her response on Oct. 10, 2025, to a call at 725 East Lincoln Highway. According to the text the board read, officers found three injured children; two required transport to children’s hospitals in Chicago. The board credited Officer Collin’s observations and actions with ensuring the children received urgent medical care and unanimously approved the commendation.

On policy matters, the board approved multiple revisions to departmental general orders. Members voted to amend a portion of “section 4” under the department’s authority (the board requested and recorded a roll-call vote that was unanimous). The board also approved revisions to General Order 2.6 (juvenile processing), adopted a new General Order 23.106 concerning days and extended leave, and approved General Order 23.12 on illness, injuries and medical conditions. In each case where a roll call was requested, commissioners recorded "Yes." The board additionally moved to expire the current hiring eligibility list because candidates on that list had already been hired.

The board set its next regular meeting for Jan. 9 at 2:00 p.m. and adjourned. No contentious debates or formal dissent were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance: minutes approved (voice vote); chief’s statistical report accepted (voice vote); retirement of Sergeant David DeSalle accepted (voice vote after clarification); meritorious duty commendation for Officer Lauren Collin approved (voice vote); amendment to section 4 approved (roll-call, unanimous); General Order 2.6 approved (roll-call, unanimous); General Order 23.106 approved (voice vote); General Order 23.12 approved (roll-call, unanimous); current hiring eligibility list expired (voice vote); meeting adjourned (voice vote).

The meeting record includes multiple references to departmental policy changes and personnel actions; the board did not refer any items for additional study or set follow-up reporting dates during the session.