EVANSVILLE POLICE MERIT COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
EVANSVILLE POLICE MERIT COMMISSION
MEETING AGENDA
Monday, May 22nd, 2023
4:00 p.m. Room 307, Civic Center Complex
- EXECUTIVE SESSION:
- An executive session will be held prior to the open session.
- The executive session is closed as provided by:
- I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(5): To receive information about and interview prospective employees.
- I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(A): With respect to any individual over whom the governing body has jurisdiction to receive information concerning the individual’s alleged misconduct.
- I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(9): To discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees. This subdivision does not apply to a discussion of the salary, compensation, or benefits of employees during a budget process.
- OPEN SESSION:
- CALL TO ORDER:
- ACKNOWLEDGE GUESTS:
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
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- May 8th, 2023 (Cook, Sutton, Johnson-Kincaid)
- APPROVAL OF CLAIMS:
- PROBATIONARY OFFICER UPDATE:
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- Officers in the Field Training ProgramÂ
- APPLICANT PROCESS:
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- Review of recommendation from the Evansville Police Pension Board regarding a new evaluation to be included in the psychological exam of sworn police applicants (tabled from last meeting.)
- Certify the applicant scores from the May 2023 Hiring Process into the active eligibility list.Â
- APPLICANTS:
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- 23-047
- RETIREMENTS:
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- Deputy Chief Stephanie Loehrlein Cox, Badge Number 212, retiring effective June 2nd, 2023 after serving 31 years and 5 months.Â
- REMINDERS: Â
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- The next scheduled meeting is Monday, June 12th, 2023 at 4:00pm.Â
- ADJOURNMENT:
McDowell Awarded 2023 M. Edward Jones Engagement Award
The University of Southern Indiana’s Outreach and Engagement has awarded the 2023 M. Edward Jones Engagement Award to Charmaine McDowell, Director of Corporate Partnerships with Outreach and Engagement.
The award is given annually to an individual, group, or project for excellence in leadership, commitment to quality, tireless service and dedication to lifelong learning in fulfilling the outreach mission of USI.
Since joining USI in 1992, McDowell has passionately served the region, sharing the best of USI to benefit individual development and organizational advancement. She has developed ongoing partnerships and training to elevate safety, productivity, retention, leadership, customer service and an improved bottom line.
“Charmaine McDowell embodies the USI Outreach and Engagement mission by connecting with the community and turning ideas into real opportunities,†says Dawn Stoneking, Executive Director of Outreach and Engagement. “She is a listener, innovator, educator, and collaborator who has enhanced the bonds between the community, government, businesses, organizations and individuals, responding to their needs and fostering learning and growth.â€
One such partnership was the formulation of the Tri-State Industrial Safety Council (TSISC) in 2003, a collaboration of regional safety professionals to promote a cost-effective, safe work environment for owner organizations and contract employees. TSISC, a member of the Association of Reciprocal Safety Councils, Inc. (ARSC), in partnership with USI Outreach and Engagement, offers the Basic Orientation Plusâ„¢ and Refresher reciprocal safety training programs. Since its inception, the programs have served over 120,000 contractor employees regionally. In addition, McDowell has coordinated site-specific safety training for over 48,000 contractors at TSISC owner-member companies.
McDowell’s leadership and training expertise have served the manufacturing industry, particularly Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI), where she has conducted training on-site for all shifts. She has provided instruction in team leader orientation and development, communication, creativity and innovation, soft skills, new engineer orientation, A-3 writing, project management, diversity, safety and other valuable learning modules for TMMI employees.
She also serves as President on the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels and served over 15 years on the board of Voices, an advocacy group supporting Vanderburgh County residents in long-term care facilities.
“I am pleased to be nominated for this award and honored to be selected as this year’s winner,†McDowell says.
The M. Edward Jones Engagement Award recognizes USI employees (current and retired), students, alumni, board members, and trustees who inspire others to engage, have made a positive impact in the USI community and the region and demonstrate tireless service and dedication to lifelong learning in fulfilling the outreach mission of the University of Southern Indiana.
For more information about the M. Edward Jones Engagement Award, visit USI.edu/jonesaward.
HOOSIERS URGED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST TICK BITES

INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana health officials are urging Hoosiers to protect themselves from tick bites during and after spending time outdoors to protect themselves from tick-borne diseases.
“Even though we’ve had a cool, wet spring, ticks are already out and looking for their next meal,†said State Public Health Veterinarian Jen Brown, D.V.M., M.P.H. “The risk for tick-borne disease is at its highest for the next few months, so we want Hoosiers to protect themselves by taking precautions against tick bites.â€
While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Indiana, Hoosiers are also at risk for other tick-borne diseases, including ehrlichiosis and spotted fever group rickettsiosis (a group of diseases that includes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever). While the risk for Lyme disease is highest in northwest Indiana and the risk for ehrlichiosis is highest in southern Indiana, ticks that carry these diseases have been found throughout the state. All Hoosiers should take precautions to prevent tick bites from early spring through late fall when ticks are most active.
Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases. Hoosiers can take the following precautions to prevent tick bites:
- Know where ticks are likely to be present (close to the ground in grassy, brushy or wooded areas);
- Treat boots, clothing and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin (NOTE: permethrin should NOT be used on bare skin);
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanoate;
- Treat your pets for ticks in consultation with a veterinarian.
Once indoors, people should thoroughly check for ticks on clothing, gear, pets, and skin. Tumbling clothes in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes will kill ticks, and showering can help remove any unattached ticks.
“Tick checks are an essential part of preventing tick-borne diseases. Promptly removing an attached tick can prevent you from becoming sick in some cases,†Brown said.
Ticks may be safely removed by using tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and then pulling outward with steady and even pressure. After the tick is removed, the area should be washed thoroughly. Ticks should never be crushed with the fingernails.
If desired, an attached tick that has been removed may be saved in a sealed bag or container of alcohol for later inspection in case the person or pet becomes ill. Alternatively, ticks may be flushed down the toilet or wrapped tightly in tape and thrown in the trash. Testing ticks to see if they are carrying diseases is not generally recommended, as the information cannot reliably be used to predict whether disease transmission occurred.
Anyone who becomes ill after finding an attached tick should see a healthcare provider immediately and alert the provider to the exposure. Most tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics, and prompt diagnosis can help prevent complications.
ROBERTS BREAKS UE SINGLE-SEASON HOME RUN RECORD FRIDAY AT UICÂ
CHICAGO, Ill. –  Ed Kothera’s single-season home run record has stood at the University of Evansville since the conclusion of the 1987 season.  On Friday night, UE graduate outfielder Eric Roberts broke the single-season record with his 21st home run of the year in the top of the fourth inning at UIC.  Unfortunately, it was not enough to help Evansville top the Flames, as UIC evened the weekend series with the Purple Aces with a 7-3 win at Curtis Granderson Stadium in Chicago, Illinois.
“Tomorrow sets up to be a really big game for our club,†said UE head coach Wes Carroll.  “We have to be ready to go from the start.
“I would like to congratulate Eric Roberts on breaking the UE single-season home run record tonight.  He has had such an incredible season, and we’re not done yet!â€
After UIC built a seven-run lead with a two-run double in the first inning and a pair of home runs in the third, Roberts made UE history by belting a solo home run to the opposite field for his 21st home run of the year.  It snapped a tie with Kothera, who crushed 20 home runs during the 1987 season for UE.  Roberts tied the single-season record last night at UIC, and Friday’s fourth-inning bomb was his fourth home run of the week.
Sophomore catcher Evan Waggoner and fifth-year first baseman Chase Hug both crushed long solo home runs to right field in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, but the Purple Aces could not muster any more offense.  UE’s best chance came in the eighth inning, when Waggoner and sophomore outfielder Ty Rumsey both reached base with two outs, but UIC reliever Zak Gould got Roberts to fly out to center field to end the threat.
Gould then worked around a lead-off double by UE junior shortstop Simon Scherry to finish a scoreless three-inning stint to earn a save and make a winner out of UIC starter Kade Lancour (6-3).  The UIC duo combined for eight strikeouts and got the Purple Aces to fly out 15 times.
Waggoner and Scherry had two hits apiece to lead UE.  Roberts and Hug got the other two hits for UE with their solo home runs.  Outfielder Rayth Petersen went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, and first baseman Breck Nowik added a three-run home run for UIC.  All seven runs for UIC came against starter Donovan Schultz (5-5), with relievers Max Hansmann and John MacCauley combining to hold UIC to just one hit over four scoreless innings of relief.
With the victory, UIC improves to 27-22 and 13-13 in the MVC, while Evansville falls to 32-22 and 14-12 in the Valley.  The two teams will conclude the three-game series on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.  The winner of Saturday’s game will earn the #4 seed in next week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and earn a first-day bye.  The loser will have to start tournament play on Tuesday.  Saturday’s rubber match can be seen live on ESPN3 and heard live in Evansville on 107.1 FM-WJPS and the Old National Bank/Purple Aces Sports Network from Learfield.
Gov. Holcomb unveils welcome signage and Clear Creek Welcome Center
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb was joined by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)  today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) to unveil new IN Indiana interstate signage welcoming visitors, or welcoming Hoosiers home. They also unveiled visual renderings of the new Clear Creek Welcome Center near Terre Haute.
IDDC oversaw the creation of IN Indiana to increase awareness and perception of Indiana as a place to visit, work, and live.
“This statewide project is an effort made through both the IDDC and INDOT to display and amplify the Hoosier state’s hospitality to our visitors,” said Gov. Holcomb. “We are proud to begin this project in three key locations throughout the state, with the vision of all of Indiana’s entryways featuring the IN Indiana logo as a welcome to the Hoosier state.”
INDOT will install 19 interstate signs reading “More to Discover IN Indiana” by May 26, before the influx of visitors attending the Indy 500 – the world’s single-largest sporting event. By the end of June, INDOT will install 57 more entry signs along non-interstate routes.
“These initiatives showcase the state’s commitment to tourism and economic growth, highlighting the importance of providing an enhanced travel experience for our visitors,” said IDDC Secretary and CEO Elaine Bedel. “We are thrilled to extend the reach of the IN Indiana campaign throughout the entire state. Tourists and residents will have a warm Indiana welcome whenever they cross our state borders.”
INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith also announced updates at welcome centers across the state, including a new Clear Creek Welcome Center near Terre Haute. With more than $32 million in renovations, the facility will undergo a complete reimagination and rebuild that will create a more welcoming and engaging first impression for east-bound travelers on I-70. The renovations will include a new main building that pays tribute to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the state’s rich auto racing history, improved restrooms, a children’s play area, dog park, walking path and additional truck parking.
“Clear Creek Welcome Center is one of the first stops for many visitors to Indiana,” said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. “Our hope is that they feel welcomed and excited about their visit from the moment they arrive. The upgraded facility will create a more modern and inviting space with new amenities that showcase Indiana’s hospitality and charm.”
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on the new welcome center. The facility is expected to open in 2025.