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Community Conversation to feature Greencastle police, fire chiefs
The fourth Community Conversation is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Greencastle City Hall and will feature Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin and Greencastle Fire Chief John Burgess.
Chief Sutherlin began working for the Greencastle Police Department in 1990 when he was 21 years old. He completed and graduated from the 103rd class of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in December 1990. Through his career, Sutherlin has been promoted through the ranks of sergeant, captain and assistant chief of police twice (1997 and 2002).
Sutherlin was appointed to the rank of chief of police by then-mayor Nancy Michael in 2004.
During his almost 28 years at the department he has become a certified instructor through the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board, field training officer (FTO officer), active shooter instructor, firearms instructor and a patrol rifle instructor.
Under the Leadership of Chief Sutherlin and Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins many changes and programs have occurred at the Greencastle Police Department, including the vehicle take-home program for all full-time officers, the permanent fitting station (provides car seats to needy families), the Drug Take Back program (3,833 pounds collected so far), the CVS drug drop-off container in front lobby of police department (1,051 pounds collected so far) and adding a police K9 to the department.
Chief Burgess has been with the Greencastle Fire Department since 1995 and previously was a volunteer with the Madison Township Fire Department and while there he served in the positions of board vice president, president, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief.
Burgess was appointed chief of the GFD by Mayor Bill Dory in January 2016. He is a certified firefighter with certifications for fire instructor, hazmat technician, emergency medical technician, Red Cross first aid and CPR instructor, fire inspection and fire investigation.
The Community Conversation series is sponsored by the Greencastle League of Women Voters, the Putnam County Public Library and the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce. The goal of the new continuing program is to give the community an opportunity to hear from and speak to their elected and appointed government officials.