Muncie merit commission orders chief to compile investigation timeline after judge's remand

The Muncie Fire Merit Commission voted April 9 to direct Chief Burford to assemble a timeline and sequence of events for a prior disciplinary investigation after a judge remanded the case back to the commission and the department.

Legal counsel Mark Irvin told the commission that Judge Fike had remanded the Benjamin Rens disciplinary matter "to the Merit Commission and to the department to determine whether a proper investigation had been conducted," and urged the commission to comply with the court order. A commissioner then moved "that we direct Chief Burford to put together some timeline information regarding the investigation, what happened, a proper sequence." The chair proposed a 20'day deadline, and commissioners agreed the timeframe was reasonable.

Chief Burford said he had been "involved in [the] investigation in a limited capacity" when the incident occurred and that the department would compile the requested materials. The motion was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

The commission's action directs the chief to collect and present factual timeline material to show what investigative steps were taken; it does not itself adjudicate discipline. Counsel framed the step as compliance with the court mandate rather than a new disciplinary determination.

Next steps are procedural: Chief Burford will prepare the timeline and present it to the commission within the approved 20'day period, after which the commission will determine any follow'up or formal action consistent with the judge's order.