New Albany Police Merit Commission Meeting - May 14, 2026

The New Albany Police Department Merit Commission met on May 14, 2026. Because of a light outage in the council chambers, online viewers could hear but not see the proceedings. The board approved prior minutes, heard a department staffing report, approved a settlement-related promotional list resolution, disposed of two applicant matters, and approved two applicant testing dates.

Opening and Routine Business

• The board approved the April 9, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote; one member abstained because they had been absent.
• Chief Bailey reported that Olivia Roquet graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on April 24, 2026, and has returned to field training.
• Four officers - Campbell, Spicer, Showman, and DeLoch - are approved to begin training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on August 31, 2026, and are currently working in the field.
• Chief Bailey said Tim Wells came off the books, leaving current sworn strength at 69 against the goal of 75. He said the department must continue testing and recruiting to reach stable numbers.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2026-1: The commission's attorney read the resolution, which addressed two grievances filed by the police union - transcribed as the "Federal Police of the New Orleans Police Department," an apparent transcription error - against the New Albany Police Department Merit Commission and the City of New Albany over the current promotion list. The parties reached a settlement requiring amendments to the promotional eligibility list effective November 13, 2025, through July 16, 2026, after which all ranks will be recalculated. Under the amendment, Officer Austin Big E and Officer Christopher Allerge (as transcribed) are added to the corporal eligibility list once they meet minimum qualifications. The sergeant list remains in effect except that Dick Carter, later referred to as Nick Carter, is placed first until July 16, 2026, and then is dropped from the list. The captain list remains in effect except that an individual transcribed as "their state" is placed first until July 16, 2026. Board members clarified that normal recalculation of scores for seniority and evaluations would continue; candidates still must meet the 75% composite scoring requirement to be promotable. The board also indicated that, for a corporal request for third shift, the process would start at the top of the amended list rather than resume where prior declines left off.
• The board reviewed and unanimously ratified the amended captain and sergeant applicant promotional eligibility list.
• Applicant 2026-47: The board voted to stop processing this candidate after a significant response on the lie detector test.
• Applicant 2026-49: The board voted to no longer pursue this candidate after the candidate was not recommended to continue into the interview process.
• Testing dates: Chief Bailey requested new applicant testing on June 27, August 22, and November 21, 2026. Members discussed recruiting challenges, the gap between August and November, and whether additional dates should be added later. The board approved only the June 27 and August 22 dates.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the April 9, 2026 minutes, with one abstention.
• Approved Resolution 2026-1 amending the promotional eligibility lists.
• Ratified the amended captain and sergeant applicant promotional eligibility list.
• Stopped processing applicant 2026-47 and declined to pursue applicant 2026-49.
• Approved June 27 and August 22, 2026 applicant testing dates; did not approve the requested November 21, 2026 date.
• The board adjourned and moved to interviews.