Barnes
On July 21, Noblesville Police Chief John Mann petitioned the Noblesville Police Merit Commission to consider a merit promotion within the police department.
Chief Mann requested that Patrol Officer David Barnes be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The Police Merit Commission approved the request and Barnes was officially sworn in at his new rank during an internal ceremony on Monday.
Sgt. Barnes was hired by the NPD on June 20, 2016. Prior to his promotion, Sgt. Barnes served in the Criminal Investigations Division as a detective since October 2019. He began his career assigned to the Patrol Division as a patrol officer prior to his appointment as a detective. In addition to his regular duties, Sgt. Barnes also serves the department as a STOPS (Strategies & Tactics of Patrol Stops), RAD (Rape Aggression Defense), ALICE instructor as well as a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert). Sgt. Barnes will be reassigned back to the Patrol Division where he will serve as a field supervisor.
Advancement to the rank of sergeant and lieutenant are merit promotions within the Noblesville Police Department. Patrol officers and detectives are eligible to apply for the sergeant promotion process, while officers currently holding the rank of sergeant are eligible to apply for the lieutenant process. Interested candidates for either process must submit to a formal evaluation process. The process is comprised of a number of components to include a written examination, oral interview, assessment exercises, and a review of past work performance. The process is extremely competitive and is administered every two years in order to establish an eligibility list. If the promotion request is approved by the Police Merit Commission, the officer is required to serve a one-year probationary period.
The Noblesville Police Merit Commission is charged with making final decisions on promotions, hiring, and disciplinary matters relating to members of the police department. The commission meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. at Noblesville City Hall and the public is welcome to attend.
All other advancements in rank within the police department are considered appointments (deputy chief and assistant chief) and are made by the Chief of Police and those appointees serve at his/her discretion.