Mentone Town Council approved the resignation of Mentone Police Department deputy Terry Engstrand Monday night.
Engstrand did not attend Monday’s meeting, but provided the following statement: “It’s been my pleasure as an officer to serve and protect the great citizens of Mentone and the community for the last eight years.
“I’ve enjoyed working closely with the local businesses and the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. I appreciate the strong support from the citizens and community. Jim Eads has been a great chief to work for at the Mentone Police Department.”
Tim Croy, council president, said the council is not allowed to discuss the reason or what’s in the resignation letter.
Rodney Bays, Mentone resident, asked why Engstrand resigned and Bays received no response.
“Tim, in January you said that it is not a three-person vote, it’s the community’s vote. How can you sit there and vote without the town’s decision?” Bays asked.
Croy told Bays to be quiet or he will be escorted out of the meeting.
Jim Eads, Mentone Police Department town marshal, asked the board if they would like him to start looking for a person to replace Engstrand. Engstrand and Eads are the two full-time officers and there are three reserve officers.
Croy said no, not at this time.
“Budget-wise we can not afford to hire another deputy,” Croy said.
Trista Hughes, Mentone resident, said Engstrand sat is front of the school every morning.
“Now you’re taking that protection away and you’re not replacing it?” Hughes asked.
Eads said if he is going to be the only deputy he would like to be paid for overtime.
“Our lives are already in danger and now you are taking away our closest backup and putting more danger on us as police officers?” Randy Bays, Mentone reserve officer, asked.
Shelly Krueger, board member, told Bays to then step down.
In other business, Eads requested to purchase a new patrol vehicle and the town said they would not do that at this time.
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(Story By The Times Union)
