Warsaw Police Officer Trenton Shively was sworn in today as the newest member of the police force. The event took place during the Warsaw Board of Public Works & Safety meeting.

Shively served as an officer with the Plymouth Police Department for four years prior to coming to Warsaw one year ago. Today’s swearing in means Shively is officially off of his probationary status. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer conducted the swearing in ceremony, which was attended by Shively’s wife, children and other family members.

In an unrelated police matter, city attorney Mike Valentine noted a civil lawsuit filed in United States Southern District Federal Court that included the city of Warsaw as a defendant, has been dismissed. The suit was filed by Kevin Miller against Vohne Liche Kennels Inc. and asked for the police departments in Warsaw and Plymouth and the sheriff’s department in Lake County to be prohibited from using their trained canines.

Valentine told the B.O.W. members today that Miller had a grievance with the kennels that trains dogs. Warsaw’s police canines were trained at Vohne Liche Kennels – as were dogs used by Plymouth and Lake County – and therefore Miller asked the court to issue restraining orders prohibiting those dogs from working. “Fortunately the judge saw right through it and the suit has been dismissed,” Valentine explained.

Although some of the towns/counties mentioned in the initial lawsuit have filed for sanctions and/or attorney fees against the plaintiff, Warsaw officials will not pursue the matter so as not to incur additional court costs.

B.O.W. members are mayor Joe Thallemer, Charlie Smith and Jeff Grose.