Cedar Lake police commission adjusts to resignations
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent October 23, 2012 8:48PM
Updated: November 25, 2012 11:40AM
CEDAR LAKE — Michael Taborski on Tuesday was named the vice chairman of the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners in the wake of the resignation last week of the second commissioner in about a month and the forced resignation of the town’s police chief.
Former commission chair Greg Rambo resigned last week following the Town Council’s move to oust sitting Police Chief Randall Mayersky and replace him with Deputy Chief Jerry Smith, a former town councilman. Smith is currently serving as interim police chief as the town regroups.
Taborski and commissioners Daniel Engelmann and Dominick Kortokrax remain on the commission. Town Council President Randell Niemeyer said the town will have to conduct a search to replace the two commissioners. Once the commission is seated, discussions will begin on the police chief’s post.
Niemeyer cited a lack of cooperation from the police commission and the chief regarding changes in staffing levels and drug control policies the town council wanted implemented as the reason for Mayersky’s departure.
The remaining three commissioners said they were unaware the council said they were not cooperative.
Englemann said commissioners were surprised by the town council’s move to replace Mayersky but plan to work with the council.
“We are doing as much as we can to cooperate with the town council and do what’s best for the community,” Kortokrax said.
The newly reorganized commission swore in a new police officer.
Morris Smoot was will become the 19th member of the town’s force, bringing the staffing level to the highest it has been.
Smoot is a 2011 graduate of the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and most recently served as an officer with the Hebron Police Department.
