Merrillville commission adopts therapy dog program and updates several general orders

The Town of Merrillville Police Commission approved multiple policy updates in a single meeting, adopting new and amended general orders that the department had circulated to commissioners.

The commission adopted General Order 1716 to establish a therapy dog program intended to assist victims and witnesses; commissioners discussed perceived benefits, especially for children and trauma victims, before approving the order by roll call. The body also adopted General Order 21.3, a new policy addressing domestic-violence incidents involving police officers, after a motion and roll-call vote.

Commissioners voted to amend General Order 23.7, which covers longevity allowance for department employees, and approved General Order 2711 concerning training reimbursement.

Each new or amended order was adopted following motions and roll-call votes recorded in the meeting; the meeting record does not contain text of the full orders but indicates commissioners reviewed the documents in advance and approved them as presented.