MERRILLVILLE | The Merrillville Police Department and other local agencies have made staffing adjustments after a longtime Merrillville officer has taken a new position.
Lt. Jeff Snemis recently retired from the Police Department to serve as an investigator at U.S. Steel, Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch said.
Snemis served at the Police Department for 23 years, Petruch said. Most recently, he was commander of the detective bureau.
Petruch said Merrillville police Sgt. Bob Wiley has become the detective bureau commander. Wiley has been with the Police Department for 16 years.
The department can hire an officer to fill the spot left open because of Snemis' departure, Petruch said.
The department is accepting patrolman applications until Dec. 31.
Petruch said he will not move an officer from the patrol division to the detective bureau because of the "manpower shortage" on the Police Department.
He said Snemis has been an "outstanding" investigator for Merrillville, and his departure will be a big loss to the department.
Snemis also served as the commander of the Northwest Regional SWAT team, which consists of officers from Merrillville, Crown Point, Schererville, Dyer, Griffith and Hobart.
Merrillville police Sgt. Bob Morgan, who also serves on the SWAT team, has replaced Snemis as the commander of the team.
Morgan said Schererville Officers Mike Vode and Bill Bednar have become assistant commanders for the team.
Petruch said Snemis was a member of the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force.
Griffith Officer Greg Mance will take Snemis' spot on the task force, he said.
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