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Elkhart chief reports 19 openings and several acting positions as promotions proceed
Summary
Chief Dan Melanes told the commission the department currently has 19 job openings and that roughly 7–9 positions are being covered by officers in acting roles pending formal promotions and testing cycles.
Chief Dan Melanes briefed the Elkhart Police Merit Commission on staffing, saying the department currently has "19 openings." He said a group of applicants is in the background-check phase and that another round of testing will begin soon.
Melanes said the department has been using acting assignments to backfill vacancies and estimated about 7–9 positions are currently filled in acting roles. "So as of right now, we've got 1, 2, 3, and then I think anywhere from 7 to 8 positions... Actually, maybe 8 or 9 positions we're filling with acting right now until we can get this promotion process moving," he said.
The chief said acting personnel will be required to participate in the formal promotion process once it opens and emphasized continued recruitment, background work and testing as the department moves to fill vacancies. He also described broader efforts toward a community-oriented policing model.
Commissioner Jean Mays thanked the department and noted the stresses on officers and their families, saying the community needs to support officers as they navigate a difficult job.
