Schererville panel reinstates former police chief

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Dowling, David-SVcop

Updated: February 14, 2012 10:17AM

SCHERERVILLE — David Dowling will be back as Schererville’s top cop pending the approval of the Town Council next week.

The Schererville Police Commission approved the recommendations to install Dowling as chief and Sgt. Dennis Zagrocki as deputy chief at its Thursday night meeting. The moves come one week after the Town Council switched to majority Democratic control, and the council appointed five new commission members ­— Eric Graf, Rodney Langel, Warner Zacharias, Pete Sormaz and John Fladeland.

Dowling was ousted as chief in August 2008 after Republicans took control on the Town Council. The council will meet Jan. 18 to vote on the recommendations.

Commission chairman Fladeland denied that the moves had anything to do with politics or the performance of the current chief, Dan Smith.

“The town of Schererville is going in a different direction, and a majority of the police commission think that we should make changes,” Fladeland said. “Dan Smith has done a great job. We just think David Dowling is the best person to lead this department for 2012 and the future.”

The current deputy chief is Larry Mysliwiec.

Former Town Council member Sharon Moore was critical of the commission’s moves.

“The action you took tonight is deplorable,” Moore said. “You’ve appointed a weak link to this position and you’ve put the citizens of Schererville at risk.”

Schererville resident Bill Nordyke said he was not happy when Dowling was removed, but he believes the regular shuffling of police chiefs by the council divides the police department.

“It’s detrimental to the police department,” Nordyke said. “We should do whatever we can to have the best police chief.”

Schererville Patrolman Jeff Myszak said the move was a good choice.

“The morale of the department has instantly risen, and I applaud you guys,” he said.