In a special meeting last Monday, May 18, the Crothersville Town Council voted 4-0 to terminate suspended Crothersville Chief of Police Matthew S. Browning. Councilman Jason Hillenburg was not present during the meeting.
Browning was suspended without pay during the council’s March 3 meeting pending completion of an investigation. But during a special March 24 meeting the council changed their position with no explanation and placed him on administrative leave with pay.
According to the police disciplinary document, Browning is charged with violation of police department rules, being absent without leave, conduct unbecoming an officer, neglect of duty, conduct causing harm to the public peace & welfare.
Specifically the local investigation showed that in 2025 Browning consistently over-reported the time he worked which resulted in pay of $10,395.71 for over 300 hours he did not work.
Crothersville K-9 Police Officer Luna, the partner of Browning, was officially retired during the council’s April 7 meeting due to medical reasons.
The investigation showed that Browning had been compensated for the K-9’s maintenance and training but failed to utilize the dog for police work for over a year and a half. Browning also failed to attend K-9 training that was approved and paid for by the town, according to the disciplinary charging document.
Acting Police Chief Jonathon Tabor delivered the disciplinary documents to Browning following the May 18 meeting. Browning had up to five days to request in writing a hearing before the council. The town has been officially notified on Thursday, May 21, that Browning has requested a hearing, according to clerk-treasurer Danita Foster.
The council will hold the hearing in executive session at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 6, at town hall. Executive sessions are closed to the public and the media.
In addition to town attorney Matt Lorenzo of Lorenzo Bevers Braman & Connell the council has also retained Alex C. Intermill of Bose McKinney & Evans, a law firm in Indianapolis, to prosecute the disciplinary charges against Browning.
The town could pursue a civil action to recoup the over payment of wages from Browning.
Browning has served as Crothersville’s chief of police since July 2018.