Elkhart police chief requests contract renewal, adopts promotion policy and urges public help after a string of shootings

Police Chief Dan Millenese told the Board of Public Safety on Feb. 24 that he seeks approval of a six‑month renewal with Central Square, the city’s vendor for records, dispatch and in‑car computers, and that the department has updated its promotion policy to align with statutory rules.

Millenese asked the board to approve a $61,169.94 renewal for the Central Square RMS/CAD and MCT services and to authorize him to sign the contract. A committee member moved to approve the renewal and add signing authority; the board approved the motion by voice vote.

The chief described revisions to the department’s promotion rules, saying the changes bring internal policies closer to statutory regulations and have been reviewed by legal and the mayor’s office. The board voted to add the promotion section to the department’s policy set.

Millenese also briefed the board on recent violent incidents: he said investigators are working multiple shootings — including one officer‑involved shooting that is the subject of prosecutor releases — and a separate stabbing. He characterized the homicide unit’s progress as strong, saying, “Our homicide unit has over a 90% solve rate,” and reported that six of eight recent homicide cases were already solved. He described one preliminary apparent homicide‑suicide under review and said the department is coordinating with prosecutors and deputy prosecuting attorneys on ongoing cases.

The chief asked the public for assistance: “If you know something, please come forward and talk to us,” he said, urging community cooperation to speed investigations. He noted law‑enforcement resources are stretched, that officers are working additional shifts, and gave staffing figures: roughly 18 open positions, approaching 19.

The board also heard brief updates on community events, including a well‑attended "Coco with the Popo" outreach event the police department hosted with about 25–30 attendees.

The board approved the contract renewal and the promotion policy during the meeting. No formal roll‑call vote tally naming individual members was recorded in the transcript; approvals were made by voice vote.