North Judson Town Attorney Justin Schramm encouraged town council members to appoint a safety board when they met Monday night. Currently, North Judson Town council members also serve as members of the safety board.
The attorney referenced an Indiana code that regulates the discipline and removal of firefighters and police officers which gives individuals the right to a hearing where they can appeal to the safety board if they face a suspension exceeding 5 days.
Schramm said that can lead to a bit of an issue when safety board consists of the same people who serve as town officials.
He noted, “Usually it starts with an executive meeting between the chief and the town council, at which time the town council receives information about the type of transgression.”
Schramm explained that this puts the town council in a tricky position because they wouldn’t be able to hear the appeal from the individual being reprimanded without having that initial information from the chief.
He said in order to avoid any question of potential bias, it would be beneficial to appoint five to seven individuals to serve as safety board representatives.
He said a decision doesn’t have to be made right away but he asked them to start looking for people who would be fit for a safety board position, such as retired firefighters and police officers or other impartial community members.
Schramm added that he is making this recommendation to all of the municipalities he represents that don’t already have a separate safety board established.
