At the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Merit Board meeting on Thursday, May 16, are from left: Board members Alan Alderfer and Tony Garza, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris McKeand, Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and Board President Dana Leon and members Matt Heiman and Bill Kelly. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is in the midst of the hiring process for a resource navigator for the county’s new Community Recovery Program.

At its meeting on Thursday, May 16, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Merit Board heard that information from Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and KCSO Chief Deputy Chris McKeand.

Smith mentioned the more than 30 applications received for the position were “more than we get for a deputy position.”

“That speaks to the community and their buy-in and what this program is and how much it’s needed,” he said.

Smith said leaders started interviewing candidates on Wednesday, May 15.

“It’s going to be a tough decision … for the board because there’s a lot of very qualified individuals that have expressed interest in this position,” he said. “What started out as an idea with this program is very close to being launched in our jail, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

“It’s a great opportunity for the community,” continued Smith. “I really truly believe that because these people are going to be reentering in our community, and they are our community members, and by gosh, if they want lead a new life and put the effort into it, like I said before, who are we to turn our backs on them?”

Smith noted the program, which will assist county inmates with acclimating into society, is only possible due to area organizations “coming together, buying into this mission and working together to make it happen.”

In response to a question, Smith said he, McKeand, Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program Coordinator Casey Trombley, Jail Commander Kevin Gelbaugh were part of the committee evaluating candidates.

“I was impressed,” said McKeand of the candidates already interviewed, noting they had “a lot of skill … a lot of education and a lot of knowledge about those nonprofits (Smith) is talking about.”

Smith noted he learned from a training he did recently that many U.S. sheriffs were implementing initiatives like the Community Recovery Program.

In other business, the board:

• Approved hiring Austin Baker as a deputy. He’s from Syracuse and a Wawasee High School graduate, said KCSO Patrol Commander Lt. Mike Mulligan. Mulligan said the hire means the KCSO is fully staffed again with 43 merit positions. Baker wasn’t present at the meeting.
• Approved making KCSO Sgt. Travis Shively a lieutenant and the head of special operations, overseeing the KCSO SWAT and dive commanders.
• Approved, at the advice of board member Alan Alderfer, having only two instead of three banks handle KCSO pension monies. That’s due to Horizon Bank generally “underperforming” on the investment compared to the other two, Lake City Bank and 1st Source Bank, said Alderfer.