Indiana County Sheriff's Merit Board

Summary

Every Indiana county is required by IC 36-8-10-3 to establish a Sheriff's Merit Board of five members: three appointed by the sheriff and two elected by majority vote of the county police force. Active county police officers, their relatives, and the sheriff's relatives are barred from serving, but no civilian requirement exists — all five may be law-enforcement-affiliated. Members serve four-year terms on a bipartisan basis. The Board conducts mandatory fair public hearings before any officer dismissal, demotion, or suspension for cause (IC 36-8-10-11); its written findings of fact are final subject to circuit court appeal. In counties over 50,000 population, the sheriff must obtain board approval for written discipline rules. The Board has no independent investigation or UOF investigative function and no subpoena power.