EVANSVILLE POLICE MERIT COMMISSION

MEETING AGENDA

Monday, October 13^th, 2025

4:15 p.m.  Room 307, Civic Center Complex

1. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

1. An executive session will be held prior to the open session.

2. The executive session is closed as provided by:

1. I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(5): To receive information about and interview prospective employees.
2. 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.
3. 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.

2. OPEN SESSION:

1. CALL TO ORDER:

2. ACKNOWLEDGE GUESTS:

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1. 1. September 22^nd, 2025 (Sutton, Johnson-Kincaid, Thompson)

4. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS:

5. PROBATIONARY OFFICER UPDATE:

1. 1. Update for probationary officers in Field Training and SWILEA

6. PROMOTIONAL PROCESS:

1. 1. Notification that Drew Murray was promoted to Sergeant on October 2^nd, 2025. 
2. APPLICANT PROCESS:

1. 1. Certify scores from the September Hiring Process into the active eligibility list. 

8. APPLICANTS:

1. 1. 25-087
   2. 25-144
   3. 25-140
   4. 25-158
   5. 25-165

9. SWORN AWARDS/COMMENDATIONS:

1. 1. Recommendation from Chief Smith for the Serious Injury Award be issued to Officer Samuel Taylor for his actions on September 21^st, 2025. 
   2. Recommendation from Chief Smith for the Gold Merit Award be issued to Officer Samuel Taylor, Officer Seth Gorman, Officer Cory Staats, Officer Herbert Adams, and Detective Jeff Breivogel for their actions on September 21^st, 2025. 
   3. Notification that Chief Smith issued the Life Saver Award to Officer Seth Gorman, Officer Cory Staats, Officer Jaylan Hyneman, Officer Colter Trueblood, and Sergeant Blake Hollins for their actions on September 21^st, 2025. [No Action Needed]

10. CIVILIAN AWARDS/COMMENDATIONS:

1. 1. Recommendation from Chief Smith for the Outstanding Citizen Award be issued to Amber Fairchild for her actions on September 21^st, 2025. 

11. RESIGNATIONS

1. 1. Officer Luke Charles Smith, Badge Number 1618, resigning effective October 19^th, 2025, after serving nine months and six days with the Evansville Police Department. 

12. REMINDERS:  

1. 1. The next scheduled meeting is Monday, October 27^th, 2025, at 4:15pm. 

13. ADJOURNMENT:

GAVEL GAMUT

By Jim Redwine

www.jamesmredwine.com

(Week of 13 October 2025)

EVER AGAIN

Maybe it is because I was born and grew up on an Indian reservation and had many Native American friends, including my Osage Sunday School teacher, but there are things involved in the Gaza Peace Plan claimed by President Trump that remind me of the treaties between the United States government and numerous American Indian peoples. In general, those treaties put Indians out of sight and white people in possession of Indian lands. Although many of those peace plans did contain magnanimous conditions and gratuitous language such as, “As long as the rivers flow, etc.” It turned out those were a secret code that meant, until gold, silver or whatever thing the dominate culture wanted was discovered, say Riviera type real estate along the Mediterranean Sea or lush farmland along the West Bank of the Jordan River or holy sites in East Jerusalem.

While the Zionists of Israel assert the destruction and occupation of Gaza was a response to an attack by Hamas, Palestinians believe the initiation of the current invasion by Israel began in 1917, resulting in a Nakba (a catastrophe) in 1948 and became a full-blown Israeli occupation in 1967 that was exacerbated in 1973 and continues to today. For many Palestinians, October 7, 2023 was an act of resistance to Zionist occupation and oppression.

Many Jewish people feel a deep connection to that part of the world called Palestine. The reasons are historical and cultural and, for most, do not require a genocide of the original inhabitants. However, as with many non-Native Americans in the United States from 1492 until contemporary times who believed Indians were an impediment to Manifest Destiny, many Zionists see Palestinians the same way.

Peace negotiations in such an atmosphere may bring a momentary pause, but the conflict will never resolve until all Palestinians are eliminated or they have their own, fully functioning and self-governing state. It is a moral imperative upon all of us to recognize this reality and guarantee Palestine’s establishment. President Trump’s Peace Plan is a poorly disguised effort to accomplish only Israel’s objectives. A true, lasting peace in the Middle East must start by the U.S.A. recognizing the autonomous, independent, self-governing and self-securing State of Palestine along the borders set forth in 1948. If President Trump makes such a declaration, a real peace process can succeed. If not, the current peace plan is a chimera designed to accomplish Israel’s dreams of a country “from the river to the sea” without any Palestinians but one in eternal turmoil with its neighbors.

As our American Founders discovered, being some other country’s colonies leads to permanent second-class status and “taxation without representation”. America, better than most of the 157 countries that have already officially recognized the State of Palestine, should recognize President Trump’s peace plan “… is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing…” but more endless conflict. It is like ice cream on a hot day, momentarily sweet and cool, but soon melted into a faint memory and maybe a sop to the forgotten “noble savages” whose aspiration for freedom and independence have gone the way of the Little Big Horn and the Trail of Tears. Or for Palestinians, the Nakba and genocide.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

Or “Follow” us on Substack @gavelgamut 

WEEKLY DEATH REPORT SEPTEMBER 8 TO SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Vice President JD Vance returned to Indiana in an attempt to persuade Indiana Senate Republicans to agree to a special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps. This visit comes after Vance traveled to Indiana in August and several Indiana Republicans visiting the White House to meet with the Trump Administration regarding redistricting.

State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville), issued the following statement regarding Vance’s visit today:

“Hoosiers are not asking for Congressional maps to be redrawn, but plenty are asking for lower utility bills, affordable child care and fixes to Senate Enrolled Act 1. These concerns, plus the reality of a government shutdown clearly showcase priorities.

“The predominance of Washington, D.C. keeps Hoosiers waiting for solutions. Our farmers, municipalities, school districts and hospitals need the legislature to act swiftly. The longer inaction exists, the worse off we all are – which is disastrous for our economy.”