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Griffith Safety Board certifies police hiring list, approves conditional offer and swears in new officer
Summary
At its Oct. 2 meeting the Town of Griffith Safety Board certified a police new‑hire eligibility list, authorized a conditional offer to the top candidate, approved a separate fire hire, and held a swearing‑in for new officer Nathaniel Irons. The board also reviewed August police activity and social‑worker referrals.
The Town of Griffith Safety Board on Oct. 2 certified its police department’s new‑hire eligibility list and authorized a conditional offer to the top candidate, actions the board approved by voice vote. The board also welcomed a new sworn officer, Nathaniel Irons, in a swearing‑in ceremony.
Chairman Liz Carell presided over the meeting and led a series of personnel votes after the board reviewed the police department’s August activity report. The department reported 795 incident reports, 600 traffic stops, 24 ambulance calls, 407 citations (including 87 Lake County violations and 58 local ordinance violations), 262 warnings, 69 adult arrests, 13 juvenile arrests, and 28 accidents (five with personal injury). The report also noted 64 animal calls and an increase in social‑worker activity documented as 86 referrals and 114 contacts.
“ So yeah, we’re very proactive in what we do,” Chief Tharp said when asked about the rise in social‑worker contacts; he explained the department shares a social worker (identified in the meeting as Erica) with local schools to split costs and to route referrals from both police and school staff to outside services.
On personnel motions, a board member moved and another seconded to certify the department’s eligibility list; the motion carried by voice vote. The board then authorized the police department to extend a conditional offer of employment to the top candidate on that list; that motion also passed. The meeting record does not identify the individual movers or give a roll‑call tally, and each action was recorded as passing by the board’s voice vote.
The board later conducted a ceremonial swearing‑in for Nathaniel Irons. Board members and attendees applauded as Irons, introduced as a graduate of the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy tier‑one program and described during remarks as a third‑generation law‑enforcement officer, took the oath.
Separately, the fire department requested and received board approval to hire Nolan Davenport for Station 32. That motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
The meeting concluded after a brief period of public‑floor questions and updates on local roadwork and traffic impacts. With no further business, the board adjourned.
