Merrillville Adds Four New Officers To Police Force
The Town’s dedicated police force gained four new officers, strengthening the department’s commitment to enhancing public safety in the community.
Merrillville now has 65 police officers as Stanley Thompson Jr., Christopher Trotter-Borrelli, Roberto Espinosa, and Thomas Sarsfield were sworn in during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting.
“You guys don’t know it yet, but each and every one of you are going to have something special to contribute to this Police Department even though you’ve never had any prior law enforcement experience,” Police Chief Kosta Nuses said. “This is something that I feel is going to be good. I feel that everybody has something to bring to the table and you guys are going to be a perfect example of it, so welcome aboard, gentlemen.”
Each of the officers are heading to the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for about 16 weeks.
“From there, they will come back and (work) with their field training officers, and that’s when they’ll be released on the road,” Nuses said.
The Police Department had been budgeted to have 61 officers, and Nuses has been advocating to increase the police force so the department can enhance its crime prevention efforts.
Town Council President Rick Bella said the council heard the needs of the department, and Town leaders worked to adjust the budget and fund the salaries for the four new officer positions.
“We can’t wait until you’re out on the street, and you’re 10-8 (in service/available for assignment),” Bella said.
Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony coincided with the National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and the Town Council unanimously approved a resolution honoring all of the men and women who are dedicated to keeping the community safe.
Nuses said he appreciates the support of the council and the panel’s continued efforts to equip officers to fight crime.
The council recently authorized a budget of up to $150,000 to equip the Merrillville Police Department with cutting-edge crime-fighting drones as well as an advanced accident and crime scene reconstruction tool.
Nuses said law enforcement is changing, and the tools will play an important role to enhance safety.
“Criminals have gotten smarter, so we have to beat them at their own game,” he said.
Nuses also announced the Police Department is starting a goal-oriented policing program.
As part of the initiative, the department’s detective and patrol divisions will have weekly meetings.
“What they will be doing is they will be looking through their calls for the week and coming up with an actual action plan that we can implement,” Nuses said.
For example, if there is a rash of vehicle break-ins, the two divisions will come up with solutions that could include identifying targets and conducting saturation patrols.
Nuses said the new program should begin within the next week.
“This is something I’m really excited about,” Nuses said. “This is just going to be another step forward to keeping the crime levels down and keeping the residents and visitors safe in the Town of Merrillville.”