10/27/10 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION OCTOBER 27.2010 88 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:08 a.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 with Board President Juanita Dempsey and Board Members Patrick D. Cottrell, Bruce J. BonDurant, and Eddie Miller present. Board Member Laura Vasquez was absent. Also present were Board Attorney Thomas Bodnar, Uniform Division Chief Jeff Walters, Division Chief Steve Richmond, and Fire Chief Howard Buchanon. The meeting was held in the Board of Public Works Meeting Room, 13th Floor, County City Building, South Bend, Indiana. Board members discussed the following items: - Addition to the Agenda — Charges 2010 -06 Attorney Thomas Bodnar noted the addition to the Agenda of Charges 2010 -06. He requested the Board start with that item, even though it was item number five of the Police Department section of the agenda. He introduced Mr. Vincent Campini, Attorney for Anthony Scott, and asked for Mr. Campini to be able to address the Board. Mr. Campini stated he would like to ask the Board's permission for the majority of the evidentiary hearing of Charges 2010 -06 to be presented in an Executive Session, rather than a public Hearing. He noted he would forward a written request if the Board was in agreement, today. Mr. Campini stated his reason for the request is due to the content of the evidence being presented. He noted most of it is record of Mr. Scott's mental, medical, personal, and family conditions. With regard to privacy laws in place, information regarding his medical condition is not for public domain. Attorney Bodnar stated the Board has a policy of keeping things as public as possible. He could recall one time when a case needed to be done in an Executive Session, due to medical information being revealed and the regulation of the Open Door Law. He noted there will be doctors testifying regarding medication and medical conditions and with HIPAA laws in place, there will be some privacy problems. Mr. Bodnar stated he would recommend, therefore, that the Board agree to an Executive Session for the Evidentiary Hearing. The Board agreed to set the Executive Session for 8:40 a.m. - Promotion to Corporal Mr. Bodnar informed the Board that the rank of Corporal will be done away with at the beginning of 2011. He stated he would draw up paperwork for Patrolman John Gast to ,sign acknowledging that he will be re- classified as a Patrolman I" Class again after the first of the year. - Special Assignment to Rank of Lieutenant Division Chief Steve Richmond informed the Board that Sergeant Eric Crittendon is also currently a School Resource Officer at Washington High School. In his new assignment, Sergeant Crittendon will supervise other SRO's and develop programs in schools to address violence, including training teachers in Crisis Event. He will be managing summer programs for students and school resource officers also. Chief Richmond noted Sergeant Crittendon is very well prepared and organized and believes he can handle the new assignment and still retain his position at the high school. - Employee of the Month Division Chief Jeff Walters informed the Board that Corporal Tyler Jackey was selected for the employee of the month for August, 2010 because of his diligence and dedication in pursuing a suspect in the armed robbery of a McClure Station on U.S. 31 South. Corporal Jackey pulled over the vehicle with the suspect driving, approximately forty - five {45) minutes after the armed robbery. When confronted, the suspect admitted to the armed robbery. Chief Walters noted that due to Corporal Jackey's diligence in pursuing the suspect, not only was this case solved, but future similar cases were potentially avoided. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, President Dempsey declared the meeting adjourned at 8:23 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY uanita Dempsey, President