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Council hears candidates for police and fire civil service commissions; appointees cite reform and oversight experience
Summary
Multiple applicants sought seats on Gary’s police and fire civil service commissions. Cliff Caldwell and others described prior law-enforcement roles and reform work — including body-worn cameras and use-of-force policy updates — while Charles Smith asked for reappointment as fire commissioner.
Charles Smith, who identified himself as an eight-year fire commissioner and current chair, asked the council for another term and said he has worked to run the commission ‘‘according to the rules and regulations’’ while supporting firefighters.
Cliff Caldwell described 14 years as a police officer, service on a police-reform commission and prior appointments to boards including zoning and the police reform commission; he said reforms during his prior service included body-worn cameras and revised use-of-force and mental-health policies for the Gary Police Department. Several applicants cited experience with disciplinary procedures, hiring practices and statute-based oversight as qualifications for civil-service roles that review hiring and discipline.
Eric Baker, applying for both police and fire seats, said he would investigate why officers leave and work to address retention problems; candidates and council members discussed pay and workplace conditions as drivers of turnover. Linda Peterson and Oliver Gilliam recounted prior appointments and civic service and asked to be considered for reappointment.
Why it matters: Civil service and commission appointments shape oversight of hiring, discipline and departmental policy; nominees emphasized operational knowledge, statutory familiarity and continuity.
Next steps: The council closed interviews and said selections will be announced at a future meeting.
