Indiana

DON?T CALL THE CORONER

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Marion County Coroner Ken Ackles with have to go without pay for a while. The City-County Council voted tonight to suspend his pay until he passes his state certification test, as mandated by state law.

Ackles did not appear before the Council, which irritated a number of members on both sides of the aisle. The vote was 20-8.

Some councilors questioned the constitutionality of the law, saying state law prohibited changing the compensation of an elected official during their term. They wanted to get an opinion from the Indiana Attorney General before passing the ordinance, but that measure failed.  Others stated the law was clear and that they were required to suspend the coroner’s pay until he passed his state certification.

To date, the coroner has completed seven out of 10 exams needed for his certification.  According to the state, as of three weeks ago 84 of Indiana’s 92 coroners had passed their certification exam, six were in the process of completing it and only two had not finished; one of them being Dr. Ackles.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 24, 2008 (boomark / email).