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.
Lunch with Lt. Governor Event – Monday, May 22, 2023
 Join the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership and a sold-out crowd on Monday for lunch and a Q&A discussion with Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch The Lt. Governor will participate in a Q&A fireside chat giving numerous updates from state initiatives and the legislative sessionÂ
WHEN: Monday, May 22, 2023Â
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (CDT)Â
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: 1:00 PM (CDT) Riverfront Event Center – Directly following the luncheonÂ
WHERE: Bally’s – Riverfront Event Center 421 NW Riverside Dr, EvansvilleÂ
WHO: Lt. Governor, Suzanne CrouchÂ
Tara Barney, CEO, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP)Â
Audrie Burkett, COO, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP)Â
Luke Yaeger, Market President, Indiana Members Credit UnionÂ
Christine Keck, VP of National Government and Regulatory Affairs, American WaterÂ
Indiana DCS Grants Foster Children’s Wishes
INDIANAPOLIS (May 19, 2023) – Indiana Department of Child Services Director Eric Miller joined One Simple Wish to grant the wishes of four local foster children this week in celebration of Foster Care Month.Â
One Simple Wish, a nonprofit organization, works with child-welfare agencies nationwide to grant wishes for children in foster care. Any child in the foster care system can submit a request – whether for an item or an experience – and One Simple Wish publishes their wish online, inviting donors to pitch in and make the child’s wish come true. Â
“We know that being in foster care can be difficult for children, and anything we can do to lift them up is important,†Miller said. “It’s an honor to work with partners like One Simple Wish to do something meaningful for these kids and give them something to be excited about.â€Â
DCS and One Simple Wish staff gathered at DCS’ Marion County South office Tuesday to provide the children with treats and gifts, including a basketball hoop, a gymnastics mat and a scooter.
“Every day, we work with more than 2,000 agency partners like Indiana DCS to amplify the voices of kids and young adults by sharing their wishes on our website,†One Simple Wish Founder and Executive Director Danielle Gletow said. “We’re traveling throughout the U.S. during Foster Care Month to meet our partners and kids and encourage everyone to join us in making more wishes come true.â€Â
Learn more about One Simple Wish and how to grant a wish for a child in foster care here.Â
Unlock the Secrets of Your Ancestry On June 19-23 At Willard Public Library
Are you passionate about uncovering your family’s history and tracing your ancestral roots? If so, we have an exciting event coming up that you won’t want to miss! We are thrilled to announce the return of the week-long Genealogy Conference with a new name -Â “(Almost) Midnight Madness”, taking place at Willard Public Library from June 19-23.
This week-long conference is designed exclusively for genealogy enthusiasts like you, providing a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in all things related to family history research. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just beginning your journey, this event promises an unforgettable experience packed with insightful speakers, invaluable resources, delicious food, exciting giveaways, and much more.
The (Almost) Midnight Madness Genealogy Conference aims to create a vibrant and engaging community where you can connect with fellow researchers, learn from the best in the field, and make discoveries that will enrich your understanding of your family’s heritage.
Find the complete schedule of speakers in the link below.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
VU All-American Caleb Johnson signs with Jacksonville State
VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University men’s basketball leading scorer and 2023 NJCAA All-American Caleb Johnson (N. Preston, Nova Scotia) signed to continue his basketball career next season at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville Ala. earlier this week.
“I felt Jacksonville State was a great atmosphere for me to be around,†Johnson said. “I felt that it was the best place for me to grow and develop into being a better version of myself.â€
Johnson definitely left his mark on the Vincennes University basketball program during his one season with the Blue and Gold, leading the Trailblazers by averaging 16.6 points per game and scoring in double-figures in 35 of VU’s 36 games this past season.
Johnson would also average 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, while also averaging one block and just under one steal per game as well.
Johnson came to Vincennes after spending the 2020-21 season at Williston State Community College in North Dakota and the 2021-22 season at Angelina College in Texas.
Johnson is one of just a handful of players in NJCAA history to earn All-Region honors three times and is most likely the only player to ever achieve this at three separate schools, earning All-Region 13 honors at Williston State and All-Region 14 honors at Angelina, before being named to the All-Region 24 team at VU.
The honors did not stop there for Johnson though, as Johnson would be named a 2023 NJCAA All-American in April, the 54th Men’s Basketball All-American in VU history and 18th under NJCAA Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin.
Johnson is now the third member of last year’s VU squad to sign with an NCAA Division I program, following Tasos Cook (Columbus, Ohio) who signed with Campbell University and Shilo Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind.) who signed with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi earlier this year.
This trio of Division I signees helped guide the Trailblazers back to the NJCAA National Tournament for the 10th time in 11 seasons, finishing the season with a record of 30-6 and reaching the National Quarterfinals.
“This season as a whole, for me, was an experience I will never forget,†Johnson added. “My favorite moment was definitely watching the selection show and finding out we got to go to Hutch.â€
Johnson will be joining a Jacksonville State team that is coming off a 13-18 record last season and is just one year removed from winning the A-SUN regular season conference championship and earning a spot in the NCAA tournament under Head Coach Ray Harper.
Next season Johnson will help the Gamecocks as they transition into their first season playing in Conference USA next season.
“I feel that being at Vincennes University was a great overall experience for me,†Johnson said. “I feel that it helped me grow more as an individual and basketball player. Being surrounded by coaches that push you everyday not only on the court but also off is definitely a benefit and it really helped me grow as a student.â€
The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Caleb Johnson on his signing with Jacksonville State and wishes him good luck as he continues his basketball career next season.