This from International Union Police Association Local #825 in Grant County: GRANT COUNTY, IN- Law Enforcement today is facing greater challenges than ever before. Officers are being shot and killed at an unprecedented rate. Officers are being vilified by much of the media and a few feckless politicians. Meanwhile, thankfully, the “defund the police” movement is dying a natural and anticipated death as violent crime has increased where law enforcement personnel have been depleted.
Grant County has not been spared in these challenges. Thankfully, your union and your Sheriff Reggie Nevels, have worked cooperatively to ease the burdens created by recruiting and retention issues. While the jail is still understaffed, those conditions have been eased by enhanced hiring and the movement of some patrol deputies into custody assignments to address shortages. This is, however, a short-term fix. We will be losing three additional correctional officers in the near future.
Union leadership has continued to meet with Sheriff Nevels and incoming Sheriff Delmiro Garcia to further address these challenges. Recruiting and retention are the keys to keep Grant County safe and provide the level of law enforcement necessary to accomplish that goal.
Neighboring jurisdictions are offering greater pay and benefits, luring experienced officers away. We currently have more than enough funds to bring Grant County up to the standards set by our neighbors and stop the exodus while also improving the quality and quantity of new recruits.
We have returned more than enough funds to the General Budget than would be needed to obtain this worthwhile goal.
The closed Juvenile Detention Center has well over one (1) million dollars sitting in this unused budget, which will also be returned to the General Fund.
We urge the County Council to take another look at the County budget and realize the cost vs. benefit of allocating fiscal resources to keep the citizens of Grant County and the men and women who protect it safe and secure. Thanks to the Sheriff and the men and women of the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, we have not had any public safety crises due to these shortages. We urge the County Council to address these issues before the safety of our employees and the citizens of this County are directly affected.
