State Board Advances Proceedings That Could Decertify Dubois County Sheriff
A state law enforcement board moved forward on proceedings that could lead to the decertification of Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter after a procedural session at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on November 18, 2025. The subcommittee has tentatively scheduled extended evidentiary hearings for April 2026, a development that matters to local residents because it could affect leadership of the sheriff's office and public trust in law enforcement.
On November 18, 2025 a subcommittee of the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board conducted a procedural session at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy advancing a review that could result in the decertification of Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter. The panel has tentatively scheduled extended evidentiary hearings for April 2026 to examine specific allegations outlined by the state. Those hearings will present the factual record the board will rely on before making any recommendation to the full board.
Under the board process the subcommittee stage moves the matter from preliminary review toward formal evidentiary consideration. The extended hearings are intended to allow both sides to present evidence and testimony related to the allegations. After the evidentiary phase the full training board will consider the record and make the ultimate determination on whether to suspend or revoke certification. The board action could have direct consequences for the sheriff’s authority to serve as a certified law enforcement officer in Indiana.
For Dubois County residents the proceedings raise immediate practical and symbolic questions. If certification is revoked the sheriff would face barriers to continuing in a sworn law enforcement role which could prompt shifts in county leadership, interim command arrangements and possible disruptions to ongoing case management. Beyond operations, the process will be closely watched by community members concerned about accountability, public safety and trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.
The schedule set by the subcommittee gives the community several months to monitor developments before formal evidentiary hearings begin in April 2026. County residents seeking updates can follow notices from the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board and local county communications for official statements and scheduling. The board’s final decision will hinge on the evidence presented at the hearings and will determine the next chapter for the sheriff’s office and for public confidence in local law enforcement.
