Board places Officer Tyler Keppel on unpaid administrative leave amid criminal charges

The Elkhart City Board of Public Safety voted unanimously Tuesday to place Patrolman Tyler Keppel on unpaid administrative leave effective Aug. 11, 2026, at 9 a.m. The board acted after Rose Rivera, the city attorney, outlined two court causes that together include four criminal counts.

Rivera told the board the first cause—Elkhart Superior Court 3 cause number 20D032608F6000839—includes an attempted residential entry (a level 6 felony) and unlawful use of a police radio (a class B misdemeanor) allegedly occurring on or about June 29. She said the second cause, 20D042607CMDash001252, alleges two counts of invasion of privacy on or about July 6. "The charging information alleges that on or about June 29, officer Keppel, knowingly broke and enter into the dwelling of another person," Rivera said.

Keppel's administrative attorney, identified in the record as Mister Arnold, asked the board to consider whether Keppel could be assigned administrative or non‑law‑enforcement duties so he could remain in paid status while the cases proceed. "I represent Tyler in the administrative portion," Arnold said, noting disagreements with aspects of the probable‑cause material and asking the board not to make a pay decision on a single side of the story.

Interim Chief Andy Whitmire said past practice has been to place officers on unpaid administrative leave when criminal charges are filed, but he acknowledged exceptions in limited circumstances depending on the nature of the allegations. Whitmire told the board that placement decisions are made on the totality of facts and the nature of charges.

Board members asked for clarity about the victims' relationship to Keppel and whether Keppel had comp time or other earned leave to use; Keppel, through counsel, described the complainant as an acquaintance and referred to her as the "future mother of his child" who lived with him. Rivera said if an officer later is cleared and retained, pay historically has been restored, subject to internal investigation outcomes.

By motion and second, the board approved unpaid administrative leave for Keppel. No public comments were offered before the meeting was adjourned.

Next steps: the board record shows the administrative leave is effective Aug. 11, 2026; the criminal causes named by city counsel remain pending in Elkhart courts.