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Law enforcement merger recommendation delayed

By Brandon Bartlett - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Rich Miller - email

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - What would law enforcement look like in Vanderburgh County if city and county governments merged?

The Public Safety Committee met Monday night and came up with what they would like to see on the November ballot.  

"I think it's the wrong way to do it," said local resident Bob Harris.

He says he has some concerns about how quickly the committee is moving.

"The last consolidation committee took two and a half years to come up with theirs. This is six to eight weeks. It's not enough time."

The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Reorganization Committee has been moving full speed ahead in hopes of getting the merger referendum on the November ballot.

"They haven't talked to other municipalities that have this type of metro police department. I think they really need to do that."

On Monday, the Public Safety Committee was set to make its final recommendation on how law enforcement would be handled, but one of its members didn't show. From the three members who did attend -- two say they favor transferring full police authority to the sheriff -- and doing away with a police chief. The another said he would like to see things kept "as is."

Chad Howard is a Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Deputy and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He says he supports keeping both departments -- but does see a need for redefining the boundaries.

"There's confusion on some calls whether we're in the city or the county, because the boundaries are jagged and don't follow natural boundaries."

Rev. Adrian Brooks, chairman of the Public Safety Committee says no matter the outcome -- he wants a "no fire rule" added to the final recommendation.

Committee members say they will now vote on a final recommendation at their meeting on May 20. 

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