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Merit Board approves conditional offers to three new deputies
At the suggestion of board member Dorothy Brown (center), the members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Merit Board voted to donate their yearly stipends along with personal checks to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry. The Merit Board includes (from left) Dr. Brian Black, retired DePauw Professor Larry Sutton, retired teacher and DePauw house mother Brown, businessman Gerald Birt and Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent.
During a meeting of the Putnam County Sheriff's Merit Board on Thursday, members approved three conditional offers of employment for merit deputy positions.
The three individuals selected from the 14 candidates all participated in Sheriff Scott Stockton's newly implemented competitive selection process, which included a written examination, a physical abilities test, a structured panel oral interview and a thorough background investigation.
While the process allowed merit board members to select the three candidate they felt were best suited to the task, the hiring process is not complete.
To meet the requirements of the conditional offer of employment the candidate must also pass a medical and a psychological examination. Such examinations are saved until after the merit board selections in order to minimize cost to Putnam County taxpayers.
"In today's policing, without a psychological background, you're really taking a risk," Sheriff Stockton said.
The anticipated hire date for these candidates will be Sept. 1. Each will be required to attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy within one year of appointment.
That year will also serve as a probationary period for the new officers, with several months spent riding with other deputies before going out on the road solo.
The names of the new deputies will be announced after completion of the medical and psychological exams.
In addition to approving the conditional offers, the Merit Board members donated their yearly stipend along with personal checks to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry.
Merit Board member Dorothy Brown made the recommendation for the donation which was unanimously approved by her four fellow members, Brian Black, Larry Sutton, Gerald Birt and Bill Newgent.