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Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and three members of his department went before the County Commissioners Tuesday for approval of a policies software contract and a new body scanner.
Smith had Lt. Travis Shively talk about the project he’s been working on for a while regarding policies agencywide.
“So in reference to this (Policies360 LETAC) contract, basically, this is going to replace what we currently have as a policy management system. On paper, it looks like we’re trading even up, one for one, but this is part of a bigger project that will include other divisions. So this specific one is going for just the patrol side, or the merit side of the sheriff’s office. The following programs, presentations that I will have for you will reference other divisions - jail, dispatch, community corrections,” Shively said.
Commissioner Cary Groninger asked, “So this is software that helps you understand what the policies are for the officers?”
Shively affirmed, adding that they currently use a different company, which offers a broader, national program from California. The Policies360 program will be focused toward Indiana and is a partnership through the Indiana Sheriffs Association (ISA). As it’ll be more Indiana-focused, they won’t have to change or make modifications to it as they have to with the program from the West Coast. Shively also said it’ll much easier for officers to understand, and will have about a third to half of the policies.
Groninger asked if the ISA was endorsing the Policies360 program from LETAC. Smith said ISA was who introduced it to the all the sheriffs in the state over the last 1 to 1-1/2 years and ISA endorsed it.
“We are part of their (ISA) membership. Every year, this is going to be tied into that to make things a little bit easier on their end,” Smith said, noting that the sheriff’s office annual dues to ISA will help pay for the new policies program.
West Coast policies might not have anything to do with Indiana sheriff’s offices anyway, he stated. “As things change throughout the departments and sheriff’s offices in Indiana, there’s a good chance it is going to affect all of us. As they get updated for one, it’ll be updated for all of us.”
Commissioner Bob Conley said, “Anytime we can separate ourselves from California policy, I’m in favor.”
Commissioner Sue Ann Mitchell said that meant that all sheriff’s departments will be operating under the same policies. Smith said yes, for those who partake in the program and it sounded like most in the state were going to take part.
After the commissioners approved the contract, Smith had Jail Commander Kevin Gelbaugh talk about a project he’s been working on, a new, upgraded body scanner for the jail. The jail’s current body scanner has been there since 2018, and the new one they want to purchase is more advanced.
Gelbaugh said they were looking to replace the 2018 Smith Detection Body Scanner with an OD Security Soter RS Full Body Scanner.
“The difference is, the new one has AI. So the original body scanner that we currently have, with the turnover rate that we have with officers, it’s extremely difficult to get someone up to speed on what they’re looking at on the human anatomy and in the body,” Gelbaugh said. “We do find stuff. We have found stuff. It’s also a deterrent just because folks know that it’s there.”
He said the new system highlights abnormalities and what’s supposed to be in the body and what’s not. It highlights different areas that officers can take a closer look at.
Smith told the commissioners there’s a local grant they’re pursuing, too, to get assistance on to pay for the new scanner. However, the pricing for the scanner is going to increase after the first of the year, so they’re trying to move on purchasing the new scanner a little quicker. The local grant provider said if the sheriff’s office is able to lock in on the lesser price now, that won’t affect their chance at securing the grant.
Matron Michelle Hyden said, “We’re attempting this proposal just in attempts to secure the 2025 versus the 2026 difference in pricing because it is substantial. We can secure that by putting 33.3% down, out of the commissary fund.”
She reiterated that the grant assistance won’t be affected by them putting a portion of the cost down now.
“It’s something that is needed in the jail, so we are hoping to get assistance from the grant, however, if not, it’s something we’re going to have to fund through commissary anyways,” Hyden said. “It needs to be purchased for the safety and security of the jail.”
Cost is $172,500, with an annual maintenance fee of $10,000 to $12,000, including all the training.
Smith said they’ll put down the 33.3% now out of commissary and then wait to hear about the grant. Hyden said they’ll apply for the grant in January and hear if they got it in February. Smith said the company understands their situation.
The commissioners approved the request.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Moriarty’s request to purchase a 2026 GMC Sierra 2500 pickup truck from McCormick’s Motors Inc. for $62,400. It was the lowest of the four bids received, and Moriarty said they had the money in the budget.
• Approved a legal services contract with attorney Scott Reust for the Kosciusko County Reentry Court, as requested by Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath. She said the dollars have been budgeted and is from grant money.
• Approved the Area Plan Commission agreement with attorney Adam Turner for legal services, as requested by Area Plan Director Matt Sandy.
Agreements between Turner and the county auditor and Turner and the Redevelopment Commission, presented by Auditor Alyssa Schmucker, also were approved.
• Heard a summary of 2025 for Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) by CEO Peggy Friday.
The commissioners also approved their signature on a resolution to allow KEDCO to apply for grant dollars that are available through the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission. The signed resolution will allow KEDCO to go after $595,169.17 available to Kosciusko County to help with pre-development of housing in the county’s smaller communities.
