Merrillville commissioners award police commendations, accept two resignations and adopt overtime order
May 01, 2026 | Town of Merrillville, Lake County, Indiana
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The Town of Merrillville Board of Commissioners on April 23 accepted multiple departmental personnel actions, approved a new general order on grant-funded overtime and set future meeting dates.
The board unanimously approved a Level One commendation for an officer credited with identifying a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run after reviewing debris and surveillance footage; the victim elected not to pursue charges, and the board ordered the commendation placed in the officer's personnel file. Commissioners also approved two Level Two meritorious-duty commendations: one for Corporal Michael Bennell for applying a tourniquet and stabilizing an injured person during a March 24, 2026 call, and another for Corporal Gary Henry for conducting a felony stop on April 20, 2026 that led to arrests and the recovery of a Glock 9mm handgun.
The board voted to adopt General Order 23.12, a new policy governing special grant-funded overtime. A roll-call vote recorded Commissioners Rich and Cino and the board president in favor; the order passed.
Two resignations from members of the police department were read and accepted. The board accepted the resignation of probationary patrolman Joseph Briggs, effective April 21, 2026, and the resignation of Roberto Espinosa, dated April 23, 2026. Both resignations were accepted by motion; no further personnel action on those files was discussed at the meeting.
The board approved two conditional offers of employment for Patrick Crowley and Brandon Kusik; the name pronunciation was clarified during the meeting. No additional hiring details were provided in the record.
There was no public comment. Commissioners announced the board's next regular meeting for June 5, 2026, at 2 p.m. and an inspection scheduled for May 14 at 10 a.m. at the Dina Barbara White Community Center.
The meeting concluded after brief remarks by commissioners thanking department staff for their service and the board adjourned by voice vote.
The board unanimously approved a Level One commendation for an officer credited with identifying a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run after reviewing debris and surveillance footage; the victim elected not to pursue charges, and the board ordered the commendation placed in the officer's personnel file. Commissioners also approved two Level Two meritorious-duty commendations: one for Corporal Michael Bennell for applying a tourniquet and stabilizing an injured person during a March 24, 2026 call, and another for Corporal Gary Henry for conducting a felony stop on April 20, 2026 that led to arrests and the recovery of a Glock 9mm handgun.
The board voted to adopt General Order 23.12, a new policy governing special grant-funded overtime. A roll-call vote recorded Commissioners Rich and Cino and the board president in favor; the order passed.
Two resignations from members of the police department were read and accepted. The board accepted the resignation of probationary patrolman Joseph Briggs, effective April 21, 2026, and the resignation of Roberto Espinosa, dated April 23, 2026. Both resignations were accepted by motion; no further personnel action on those files was discussed at the meeting.
The board approved two conditional offers of employment for Patrick Crowley and Brandon Kusik; the name pronunciation was clarified during the meeting. No additional hiring details were provided in the record.
There was no public comment. Commissioners announced the board's next regular meeting for June 5, 2026, at 2 p.m. and an inspection scheduled for May 14 at 10 a.m. at the Dina Barbara White Community Center.
The meeting concluded after brief remarks by commissioners thanking department staff for their service and the board adjourned by voice vote.
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