03/22/11 The Bourbon Police Department could soon have two new full-time officers. Police Chief Bill Martin said the Town Council approved the hiring of two more personnel, bringing the department total to five officers.
At this point, there are three candidates for the positions. Martin said, “We have already done background checks and those interested have taken written tests.” The final step, according to Martin, will be interviews with Town Council members.
Martin said they pulled interested candidates from their part-time reserves.
Martin said they plan to keep the current D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) school class going with the help of a Culver officer who has taken the D.A.R.E. training. Martin said he consulted with Matt Hassel, Bremen police chief, on how to proceed with the classes after Assistant Chief Gary Collins, who had headed up the Bourbon D.A.R.E. program, passed away on February 4. Martin said Collins, who had been with the Bourbon department for 18 years, was very passionate about the classes. Martin said, “I know he (Collins) would have wanted to keep the program going.” John Duhnosvski will complete the classes to graduation. Martin said one of the new hires will be sent to D.A.R.E. school to teach classes in the future.
A second project that Collins had been instrumental in acquiring for the town has been put on hold for now. Martin said Collins had done all of the paperwork to obtain E-citation (Indiana Supreme Court’s Electronic Citation and Warning System (eCWS) for the town. Instead of writing tickets, officers can use a hand-held scanner to read bar codes on a drivers’ license and registration. The information on the license and /or registration is automatically entered on the ticket form. The ticket information is stored electronically and officers print out a paper copy for the offender using a handheld or in-car printer. The device can also be used for issuing warnings.
According to Martin, one of the full-time officers with the department will take the needed training for the program. He said they are also in the process of having the devices installed in the town’s police vehicles.
Collins was also in the fourth year as a member of the Town Council. On March 9, the Marshall County Republican Party will hold a cuscus with precinct representatives to name a new member to complete the term to run until December 31, 2011.
Carol Anders Correspondent
