The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office Merit Board heard updates Thursday about the sheriff's department's newest K9 and the jail's Community Recovery Program.
KCSO Sgt. Travis Shively said the K9 the department received as a gift from the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office is in its sixth week of training alongside KCSO deputy Elizabeth Johnson. The K9 was given to KCSO after its handler in Elkhart County was promoted.
Shively said the K9's addition to the department was at no cost to Kosciusko County taxpayers, as typically the price range of buying a K9 is anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000. Training for both the K9 and Johnson has also been done in-house.
With the Kosciusko County Jail Community Recovery Program, Sheriff Jim Smith said he will be attending the Kosciusko County Council meeting on Thursday evening, April 11, for an additional appropriation for hiring a resource navigator. The individual hired in this role will help jail inmates acclimate back into society and assist them with their mental health and substance abuse needs.
KCSO also received a grant from the K21 Health Foundation for the program.
Smith said he hopes to have the job posted within the next 30 to 40 days.
"Anyone that's willing to turn that leaf over and lead a life drug-free, who are we to turn away from them?" said Smith. "I think we owe it to the community because they're going to be in our community, to walk alongside them and give them resources. It's imperative to make this program a success."
The board also:
• Heard from Public Information Officer Sgt. Doug Light that KCSO responded to 1,671 calls for service in March.
• Heard from Senior Det. Sgt. Josh Spangle that the detective division has investigated 97 cases in the first quarter of 2024.
• Learned that Board member Alan Alderfer will meet with Lake City Bank and 1st Source Bank representatives prior to the board's May meeting regarding pensions for KCSO.
The board's next meeting is May 16.