OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Evansville Police Merit Commission Meeting - July 27, 2026

City Council — Monday, July 27, 2026
BodyEvansville, Indiana
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, July 27, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 10:17
Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

All right.

0:08

We'll call to order the Evansville Police Merritt Commission meeting on Monday, July 27th at 423 p.m.

0:19

Acknowledge our guest.

0:26

Nick Siriano.

0:28

Commissioner DJ Thompson.

0:30

We have James Commissioner James Sutton by phone.

0:34

Denise Johnson Kincaid.

0:39

Sergeant Extra Wolf.

0:42

Thank you.

0:43

A little different.

0:45

May I have an approval of the minutes?

0:48

So moved.

0:49

I'll second.

0:51

Motion is second.

0:52

All in favor.

0:53

Aye.

0:54

Aye.

0:54

Motion carries.

0:59

I make a motion to I make a motion to approve claims for $6,643.

1:08

I second.

1:09

Okay.

1:10

I'm in favor.

1:11

All in favor?

1:12

Aye.

1:13

Aye.

1:13

Okay.

1:15

Motion carries.

1:17

We have been updated from the probationary officers in field training in Twileia.

1:24

We have new discipline in front of us.

1:30

Okay.

1:32

Um 26 PDO 03, Officer Mason Cooley.

1:40

Badge number 11531, a two-day suspension.

1:47

26 PDO 04, Sergeant Trudy Day, but badge number 5173, a two-day suspension.

1:57

26 PDO 05, Lieutenant Mike Gray, badge number 483, three-day suspension.

2:08

26 PDO6, Officer Cameron Cooper, badge number 1533, a written reprimand.

2:17

26 PDO 07, Officer Levi.

2:24

Badge number 1608, a five-day suspension.

2:29

26 PDO 08, Detective Quentin Kill.

2:35

Badge number 1441, 7-day suspension.

2:40

26 PDO 09, Sergeant Corey Offerman, badge number 5210, written reprimand.

2:50

26 PDO 10, Officer Jalen Blair, badge number 1495, written reprimand.

2:59

How would we like to move?

3:01

Do you want to say all of those were not appealed?

3:06

You have acknowledged that.

3:08

Oh, okay.

3:09

I didn't hear it.

3:10

No, I said you did.

3:11

Yeah, you acknowledge it.

3:13

Okay.

3:16

Do we accept the discipline in front of us?

3:18

They'll make a motion.

3:21

So moved.

3:22

I'll second.

3:23

Okay.

3:24

Motion is second.

3:25

All in favor?

3:26

Aye.

3:26

Aye.

3:27

Motion carries.

3:30

Probation.

3:31

We have.

3:31

Oh, we probably should have talked about this one.

3:33

I had a question.

3:34

I did too, but ADA accommodation request for a candidate signed to sign to take the test in 2026 promotion promotional written exam for the rank of sergeant.

3:50

We're going to motion.

3:55

You make a motion.

3:56

Yeah, you make a motion.

3:57

So we can do discussions.

3:58

Yes.

3:58

So you gotta make a motion first.

4:00

I'll motion for sake of discussion.

4:03

Okay.

4:05

James.

4:05

I'll second.

4:06

Second.

4:07

Okay.

4:07

I'll second.

4:08

Alright.

4:08

So discussion.

4:10

We need you.

4:12

Yeah.

4:13

So is this.

4:17

So my question was how often do we request for the accommodations to be current?

4:22

Or the documentation to be current.

4:24

I notice that they're over a quarter of a century old his paperwork.

4:28

Well, I mean, that's this is the only one that I've seen.

4:33

Uh since I've been in this role, we don't get them very often, even in like the application process.

4:40

I can't hear it, Dexter.

4:42

He said this is he hasn't seen very many of these come through, and we normally don't get them in the application process.

4:48

Okay.

5:00

So I don't have, I mean, I don't have anything more recent from him or any they provide me with the accommodation and I pass it to you who makes the decision.

5:08

So I I guess my concern with the under discussion is that the officer is asking for extended time and asking for a quiet room.

5:19

The problem with this job is when you're on the road, you don't have extended time, and you don't have peace of quiet to make decisions.

5:30

Yes.

5:31

Well, I think you know, legally for the accommodations.

5:34

I guess my thing is the time.

5:36

Like typically you would have current documentation to support a request is the only question or concern I have.

5:46

Well, and then have the other officers being afforded the opportunity to have a quiet room.

5:55

Well, with ADA accommodations, you have it you have to provide reasonable accommodations if a person has a disability.

6:02

Because my daughter, but has there been anyone else that's had that same situation that they were afforded that as well is what I'm asking?

6:17

Yeah, so not that they're aware of.

6:20

Okay.

6:26

Um what's the timeline if we would like to table and do more research?

6:31

Uh the test is scheduled for October 17th.

6:36

Um generally uh for fairness when we when an accommodation is granted, it's so a different test time.

6:47

It's always before the test date.

6:50

Um, because then if we offer a scheduled test date that's after, then I then I have to offer that to everyone else.

6:58

Okay, now you get also.

6:59

So it's generally test so before October 17th is when we would have to schedule this test.

7:06

So with the discussion, um we be comfortable.

7:12

Well, let me say this.

7:15

Can you um I'll make a motion to table the request until the next meeting?

7:24

Until we have until we have the information that we we need to make a uh proper decision.

7:32

So are we gonna put a timeline on to get that information by the end of August?

7:42

Yes.

7:43

By the end of August at our August 9th.

7:50

It's the 24th.

7:52

August 24th.

7:54

Okay.

7:57

Sounds good.

7:58

Is that good for you to kind of help us find out more information?

8:02

Yes.

8:03

More recent.

8:06

I feel like we need that.

8:09

Yeah, I think some of the paperwork was from when he graduated from high school.

8:12

From yeah, I think 98.

8:16

Okay.

8:17

All right.

8:19

All in favor.

8:20

Oh, no.

8:20

You made a motion to make it.

8:21

I made the motion that yes, all in favor.

8:24

Aye.

8:24

Aye.

8:25

All right.

8:26

Motion is carried.

8:27

We will table this to August 24th.

8:30

Notification that Officer Nick Samet Sammet will be promoted to sergeant badge number 5235 on August the 3rd, 2026.

8:42

Applicants.

8:47

I will make a motion that applicant number 26-056 does not continue with the process.

8:56

I second.

8:59

Okay.

9:00

Remember.

9:02

Well, I think all the rest do just they they continue.

9:07

Just we don't have to vote on the case.

9:09

Can you make a motion?

9:10

Are you second it, James?

9:12

Yes.

9:12

All right.

9:13

All in favor?

9:14

Aye.

9:14

Aye.

9:15

And motion carries.

9:18

Retirement.

9:19

Sergeant Wayne Comesley?

9:22

Compson.

9:23

Hunt.

9:25

Badge number 5187.

9:27

Retire in effect of August 3rd, 2026, after serving 27 years, three months and 15 days with the Evansville Police Department.

9:36

We will send him an acknowledgement for his service.

9:39

Resignation, Adam Henry Hart, badge number 1636.

9:44

Resigning effective July 27, 2026, after serving six months and 16 days with the Evansville Police Department.

9:54

Reminder, our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 10th, 2026 at 4 15.

10:09

I make a move that we adjourn.

10:11

I'll second.

10:12

So moved.

10:13

Thank you.

10:15

All right.

10:16

Thanks, Jane.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Procedural███████████████████████████████████████39%
Disability Rights██████████████████18%
Summary of Proceedings

Evansville Police Merit Commission Meeting - July 27, 2026

The Evansville Police Merit Commission convened on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 4:23 PM in Room 307 of the Civic Center Complex. The meeting included approval of prior minutes and claims, acceptance of multiple disciplinary actions, discussion of an ADA accommodation request for a promotional exam, and updates on retirements and resignations. All actions were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from July 6, 2026 were approved by unanimous vote.
  • Approval of Claims: Claims totaling $6,643 were approved unanimously.
  • Probationary Officer Update: The board acknowledged an update on probationary officers in field training and the SWILEA program (no further details provided).
  • New Discipline (Uncontested): The board accepted the following disciplinary actions, all of which were not appealed (Officer Jaylen Blair's appeal deadline was July 26, 2026, which had passed):
    • Officer Mason Cooley (Badge 1531): 2-day suspension.
    • Sergeant Trudy Day (Badge 5173): 2-day suspension.
    • Lieutenant Mike Gray (Badge 483): 3-day suspension.
    • Officer Cameron Cooper (Badge 1533): Written reprimand.
    • Officer Levi Hoehn (Badge 1608): 5-day suspension.
    • Detective Quinton Keil (Badge 1441): 7-day suspension.
    • Sergeant Cory Offerman (Badge 5210): Written reprimand.
    • Officer Jaylen Blair (Badge 1495): Written reprimand.
  • Applicants: Motion carried to not continue applicant 26-056; applicants 26-025 and 26-155 were allowed to continue without a formal vote.
  • Retirement: Acknowledged the retirement of Sergeant Wayne Komson Hunt (Badge 5187), effective August 3, 2026, after 27 years, 3 months, and 15 days of service. The board agreed to send a letter of appreciation.
  • Resignation: Acknowledged the resignation of Officer Adam Henry Hart (Badge 1636), effective July 27, 2026, after 6 months and 16 days of service.

Discussion Items

  • ADA Accommodation Request for Promotional Exam: The board discussed a request from a candidate for the 2026 sergeant written exam seeking extended time and a quiet room as an accommodation. Commissioner James Sutton (participating by phone) expressed concern that the supporting documentation was outdated (from approximately 1998, when the candidate graduated high school). He questioned the fairness of providing these accommodations given that patrol duties require quick decision-making under unpredictable conditions. The board voted to table the request until the August 24, 2026 meeting to allow staff to obtain more recent medical documentation.

Key Outcomes

  • Approvals and Dispositions: All consent calendar items were approved unanimously.
  • ADA Accommodation Tabled: The board voted to table the accommodation request until the August 24, 2026 meeting. Staff will gather updated documentation.
  • Promotion Notification: The board acknowledged the promotion of Officer Nick Sammet to Sergeant (Badge 5235), effective August 3, 2026; no action was needed.
  • Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM.

Note: Prior to the open session, the commission held an executive session closed to the public under Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(5), (6)(A), and (9) for discussion of prospective employees, alleged misconduct, and job performance evaluations.

Meeting Transcript

All right. We'll call to order the Evansville Police Merritt Commission meeting on Monday, July 27th at 423 p.m. Acknowledge our guest. Nick Siriano. Commissioner DJ Thompson. We have James Commissioner James Sutton by phone. Denise Johnson Kincaid. Sergeant Extra Wolf. Thank you. A little different. May I have an approval of the minutes? So moved. I'll second. Motion is second. All in favor. Aye. Aye. Motion carries. I make a motion to I make a motion to approve claims for $6,643. I second. Okay. I'm in favor. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. Motion carries. We have been updated from the probationary officers in field training in Twileia. We have new discipline in front of us. Okay. Um 26 PDO 03, Officer Mason Cooley. Badge number 11531, a two-day suspension. 26 PDO 04, Sergeant Trudy Day, but badge number 5173, a two-day suspension. 26 PDO 05, Lieutenant Mike Gray, badge number 483, three-day suspension. 26 PDO6, Officer Cameron Cooper, badge number 1533, a written reprimand. 26 PDO 07, Officer Levi. Badge number 1608, a five-day suspension. 26 PDO 08, Detective Quentin Kill. Badge number 1441, 7-day suspension. 26 PDO 09, Sergeant Corey Offerman, badge number 5210, written reprimand. 26 PDO 10, Officer Jalen Blair, badge number 1495, written reprimand. How would we like to move? Do you want to say all of those were not appealed? You have acknowledged that. Oh, okay. I didn't hear it. No, I said you did. Yeah, you acknowledge it. Okay. Do we accept the discipline in front of us?

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