The Thin Line:
Noblesville Police Merit Commission Approves Promotions
(Noblesville, Indiana) On December 16, 2020, Noblesville Police Chief John Mann petitioned the Noblesville Police Merit Commission to consider two merit promotions within the police department. Chief Mann requested that Patrol Officers April Kline and Mike Hargrove be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The Police Merit Commission approved the request and Kline and Hargrove were officially sworn-in at their new rank during an internal ceremony on Monday, January 11, 2021.
Sgt. April Kline was hired by the NPD on August 26, 2010. Prior to her promotion, Sgt. Kline served in the Criminal Investigations Division as a Detective since 2017. She began her career in the Patrol Division and served on night shift prior to her appointment as a detective, where her focus was crimes against persons. In addition, Sgt. Kline serves the department as a member of the agency’s mentoring program, as a RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) instructor, and as a de-escalation instructor. Sgt. Kline will be assigned to the Patrol Division on Nights A where she will serve as a field supervisor.
Sgt. Mike Hargrove was hired by the NPD on August 6, 2012. Sgt. Hargrove previously served as a police officer with the Warsaw Police Department since 2006 and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Prior to his promotion, Sgt. Hargrove served in the Support Division as a School Resource Officer at Noble Crossing Elementary since 2020. He began his career in the Patrol Division and served on night shift prior to his appointment as a detective in 2017, where he served as the Crime Scene Investigator and Property Room Manager. In addition, Sgt. Hargrove has served the department as a Field Training Officer, Evidence Technician, and Bike Patrol Officer. Sgt. Hargrove will be assigned to the Patrol Division on Days A 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 (2) 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 5:00 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 discretion.
