10/18/06 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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102 1 1 1 REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 18, 2006 The regular meeting of October 18, 2006, was not held as a quorum was not present. PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION OCTOBER 25, 2006 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:03 a.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 with President Jesusa Rodriguez. Board Members Juanita Dempsey, Donald Alford, Patrick D. Cottrell and Bruce J. BonDurant were present. Also present were Police Chief Thomas Fautz, and Fire Chief Luther Taylor. Board Attorney Thomas Bodnar was not present; Assistant City Attorney Cheryl Greene was present in his absence. The meeting was held in the Board of Public Works Meeting Room, 13~' Floor County City Building, South Bend, Indiana. Board members discussed the following item(s) from that list: - Minutes Mr. Cottrell noted an error in the minutes on Page 92, of the Section "Retirement -Police Department"; a period should be inserted after the word "standing", and the remainder of the sentence deleted. - Duty Manual/General Orders -Police Department Attorney Greene indicated there are four (4) sections of the Duty Manual where proposed changes are indicated. Chief Fautz stated the changes are self-explanatory. The changes to the "Domestic Violence" section "breaks new ground" for the Police Department. In addition, Chief Fautz indicated this policy has been reviewed and discussed with the YWCA, the Casie Center and the Prosecutor's office. The "Domestic Violence: Sworn Officers" section states that if an incident occurs in another jurisdiction, the Officer would contact that agency. This policy states "no tolerance" for domestic violence. Chief Fautz also mentioned when all the changes (which are now in the form of General Orders) to the Duty Manual have been completed, the Duty Manual will be presented to the Board for approval. - Resolution No. 57-2006 -Police Department Attorney Greene indicated Resolution No. 57-2006 gives the Police Chief authority to make special assignments up to one (1) year for a Sergeant or Lieutenant. This is a temporary assignment, which will provide a trial period for the officer to be assessed for leadership qualities. Chief Fautz noted the trial period will include supplemental training and guidance, and an opportunity for the officer to evaluate other officers. No permanent promotions will be made during this period. Attorney Greene further indicated Chief Fautz has researched and reviewed the temporary assignment, and finds that it does not create a "property right" attaching to a certain position. The Board of Safety must still be consistent with their duties and powers. Attorney Greene noted a letter regarding the special assignment was received on October 17, 2006, from the Fraternal Order of Police. - Special Police Commission -Police Department Chief Fautz stated this Special Police Commission is for a Civilian Volunteer Officer (CVO). This Commission does not have the authority to be armed or have the powers of arrest. The primary duty of this Commission is for directing traffic. - Employee of the Month -Police Department Chief Fautz indicated this month's employee of the month, Sergeant Lee Ross, has done some very outstanding work. Employees of the month are presented with a plaque at a yearly assembly. - Amended Statistics -August 2006 -Police Department Chief Fautz stated the 2004 year-to-date numbers for August were used instead of the 2005 mambers. The August 2006 amended statistics have been corrected. - Monthly Statistical Analysis -September 2006 -Police Department Chief Fautz stated the statistics follow the national trend. - Morithly Statistical Analysis -September 2006 -Fire Department Chief Luther Taylor stated the numbers in the analysis are routine. The property damage numbers are down.