By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The Decatur Police Department is continuing to move ahead with its hiring process.
Chief Kevin Gerber told city council last week that nine applicants went through agility tests, with background checks the next step in the process.
New physical fitness standards were used. They are the standards the state will switch to in the near future.
The physical fitness standards are required for entry at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, as well as an even higher standard that must be met before graduating, the local department said.
The Decatur PD has one opening due to the resignation of Luke Rumschlag.
The newest hire, Conrad Dyer, was the replacement for Eric Mitchel, who resigned in mid-September to join the Indiana State Police.
Dyer, 22, had been a confinement officer at the Adams County Jail for four years. He will have to attend the academy for training.
At full strength, the department has 20 officers, including Chief Gerber and Deputy Chief Chris Brite.
TREATS: The department reported a busy Halloween weekend.
On Halloween, officers had lunch with Bellmont students. Then, during trick or treat time that night, they handed out nearly 2,000 pieces of candy, along with pedestrian safety information.
A department report noted that several hundred kids (and some adults) visited the station in costume.
The next morning, Saturday, members of the police and fire departments were invited to the Tractor Supply Company (TSC) for the company’s Hometown Heroes event, which included a donation to each department.
At TSC, some youngsters were able to get an up-close look at a fire truck and a police car.
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