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Plainfield police chief says department will reach full staffing after academy graduates
Summary
At an April 2 meeting, Chief Smock told the Plainfield Board of Police Commissioners that three recruits will finish the academy this month and that, after field training, the department expects to reach a planned full staffing level of 11 officers per shift; he also described recent training, an assisted warrant service with Hendricks County, and community outreach at an Easter event.
Chief Smock told the Plainfield Board of Police Commissioners on April 2 that three recruits currently in the police academy are expected to graduate at the end of the month and enter the department’s field training program, bringing the department to a planned full staffing level of 11 officers per shift once evaluations are complete.
"Once we get them out of training and on their own, we'll be at a full staff at 11 per shift. And we've never been to that point," Chief Smock said, describing the expected staffing milestone as unprecedented for the department.
The chief outlined a recent weeklong, six‑hour multipurpose training that combined defense tactics, emergency vehicle operations (EVOC), firearms instruction, high‑risk vehicle‑stop drills and building‑clearing exercises. He said training used staged scenarios with masks and role players to simulate multi‑officer positioning and response.
Chief Smock also described Plainfield’s role in an interagency warrant service for Hendricks County. He said the county deployed an armored vehicle and that Plainfield’s emergency response team assisted in securing outbuildings; "the suspect was taken into custody with no issues," he reported, and he thanked the commissioners and partner agencies for support in procuring the department’s BearCat tactical vehicle.
On community outreach, Chief Smock said the department staffed a booth at the Easter scramble at Talon Stream on the north side of the recreation center. He said about 1,800 people attended, and patrol officers and staff engaged children and families through activities run by Tina, Julie and Paige.
Looking ahead to facilities, Chief Smock said staff will walk through proposed alterations at the annex with contractors on April 10 and that the build‑out could take a month or two depending on the contractor schedule.
Committee member Mr. Fish asked to be notified about officer postings and swearing‑in ceremonies so he could attend; Chief Smock said the department would email the group with details.
Votes at a glance • Motion to approve the March minutes — mover: Joy Philip; seconder: Mr. Fish; outcome: approved (all ayes recorded). • Motion to adjourn — mover: Mr. Fish; seconder: Joy Philip; outcome: motion made and seconded; meeting closed thereafter.
The board adjourned following the motions and the meeting record includes signature lines for President Steve Stombaugh and Secretary Joy Philip.
