There were four letters of interest for the open position on the Argos Police Commission as reviewed by the Argos Town Council during their last meeting.
The council had asked Town Attorney Derek Jones to look into the qualifications of that position as far as the political makeup. Jones told the council that not more than three members can be of the same political party. He also mentioned that the town legislative body could remove a member from the commission for any cause that the legislative body considers sufficient.
“So, it’s my understanding that there needs to be a Democrat appointed, but it’s up to the council in terms of even if you have an applicant that’s qualified that doesn’t mean you have to appoint the applicant. It just means you could, but it doesn’t necessarily require that you do so,” said Jones.
The Police Commission is made up of five members including Shawn Harley, Brenda Hutchison, Harvey Trump, and Ronda Davis. Three of those members are Republicans which means that the open position must be Democrat or Libertarian.
Jones also stated that there’s no issue with a member of the Town Council sitting on that board as long as the board follows the political makeup requirement. Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Mullaney clarified that the ordinance states that two members could sit on that board.
Council Member Shawn Harley stated that he’s served on the Police Commission for the last 15 years and in that time, there hasn’t been two council members to serve on the board at the same time.
Those that submitted letters of interest were Frank Rickman, Benjamin Sharkey, George Null, and David Mullaney. The two applicants that fit the Democrat or Libertarian requirements were Rickman and Sharkey.
Council President Ed Barcus said that Sharkey wrote that he had a background in law enforcement and studied public safety at the Elkhart Area Career Center, training in law enforcement and criminal law, and employed in private security.
“I do remember at one point I think we were going to appoint that position right before the election and it was discussed that we didn’t think that Mr. Sharkey could serve if he were to be elected County Commissioner,” said Council Member Robert Byers.
Harley confirmed that he too remembered that.
The Council voted to appoint Benjamin Sharkey to the Police Commission by a vote of 4-0-1 with Harley abstaining since he serves on the Commission.
