Kosciusko County commissioners on Dec. 23 authorized the sheriff's office to switch to an Indiana-specific policy-management system offered through the Indiana Sheriffs Association and approved a deposit to secure a new AI-enabled full-body scanner for the county jail.

The sheriff and his staff said the proposed policy system narrows and clarifies department policies, aligning them with the Seventh Court of Appeals and making them easier for deputies to use than the county's prior, national provider. "This is going to be more focused towards Indiana," Lieutenant Shively said, arguing the platform will reduce the need to "change and manipulate" out-of-state policies.

The board heard that the system will be offered via ISA membership; commissioners were told that participating departments would pay a higher membership fee but receive the policy package in return. Commissioner questions centered on whether other counties would adopt the system and how membership fees would change; sheriffs'office presenters said adoption would be voluntary and that ISA's endorsement led the effort.

On a related jail-safety purchase, county jail staff described plans to replace a 2018 Smiths Detection scanner with an "OD Security Sodor RS" full-body scanner whose vendor materials say the device uses automated image analysis to highlight anomalies. "Anything that is not supposed to be in the body, it is supposed to detect and be able to highlight it," Kevin said, describing the unit's ability to flag areas for closer inspection.

Staff proposed securing 2025 pricing by placing a 33.3% down payment from the commissary fund and applying for grant assistance in January. Michelle, discussing finance, said the deposit will not jeopardize the county's eligibility for grant funds and that, if grant support is unavailable, the remainder would be paid from commissary funds. The commissioners voted to approve the request and the deposit.

The jail presentation noted an annual maintenance and training fee the county expects to be in the $10,000'$12,000 range and that the replacement is intended both to improve detection and serve as a deterrent. Commissioners made the approvals by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize vendor terms, submit the grant application in January, and proceed with the deposit subject to the county's usual procurement and accounting procedures.