Hammond board approves retirement of Sgt. Oliver Shane Rick; appoints Haley Wise to probationary post

The Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety on Sept. 17 approved the retirement of Sergeant Oliver Shane Rick and the appointment of Haley Wise as a probationary police member.

Reading correspondence from the police chief, the clerk said the retirement of "Sergeant Oliver Shane Rick, who has served the citizens of Hammond for 21 years, [is] to become effective the close of business of November 5th, 2026," and that "Haley Wise [is to] be appointed as a probationary member and to serve one-year probationary period effective September 5th, 2026." The board moved, seconded and approved the personnel actions on a voice vote.

The action was presented as routine personnel business during the consent portion of the agenda. No additional terms or vote tallies beyond the board's unanimous voice approval were recorded at the meeting. A copy of the personnel recommendation came from Chief Jeffrey Long, as read into the record.