Police Merit Commission hearing underway involving Kyra Peoples status

After just two meetings as a formal body Shelbyville’s Police Merit Commission will preside over an appeal involving a city police officer.

Shelbyville Police Chief Bill Dwenger appeared before the Board of Public Works and Safety on June 10 to request a change in Kyra Peoples’ rank from detective to patrol officer. Dwenger also asked Peoples be placed on paid administrative leave.

Peoples has had her rank lowered to police officer and is currently on paid administrative leave. She has opted to appeal the decision and will have a hearing on Aug. 6 to determine her status with the police department.

Details of the appeal or what brought about the initial request have not been released.

The five-member commission met for the first time at City Hall to get organized. The commission met again on July 24 to get rules established for conducting business with the police department.

Former mayoral candidate Brad Ridgeway, who owns and operates Nuesound Hearing Care in Shelbyville, was elected commission president.

Bill Kent, a longtime executive with PK USA, was elected vice-president.

Denny Ramsey, former Shelbyville Middle School principal, was elected secretary.

Also serving on the commission are former Shelbyville mayor and police chief Bob Williams and Mark Mason , who is retired from the Indiana State Police and now works for the Indiana Gaming Commission.

Shelbyville mayor Scott Furgeson asked local attorney Warren Good to assist with the commission getting organized and with the upcoming review hearing.

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