Retired officer joins Gary police commission

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Updated: March 4, 2012 8:21AM

GARY — Retired Gary police officer Hector Lopez joined the Gary Police Civil Service Commission as its newest member, replacing Richard Ligon, recently named the city’s public safety director.

Lopez, a Miller resident, sat quietly during his first meeting Thursday night, offering no comments as the board moved through its agenda.

The rank and file elected Lopez this week.

“I will do my best to represent the interests of the officers,” Lopez said after the meeting. “But also doing what is right.”

Lopez said his experience as an officer should help him understand the practices and challenges of the men and women of the Gary police department. An active member of the Gary Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 61, Lopez said he has listened to fellow officers discuss some of the board’s decisions.

“When they asked me to run, I said yes right away,” he said. Lopez retired from the department 21 years ago and is a former Gary business owner.

The board decided to postpone action for the third consecutive month on a hearing officer’s recommendation regarding Patrolman Nicholas Deem. Daryl Jones, who heard Sgt. Sarita Titus’ complaint against Deem, recommended no disciplinary action be taken against Deem. Titus accused Deem of abusing police property when he posted a photo of his department-issue laptop on Facebook. She asked the board to fire Deem.

Commissioner Charles Smith, the Republican member elected by the rank and file, made a motion to table the matter for another month, saying the board just received a transcript of the hearing.

Reach Lori Caldwell at 648-3258