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Mr. Glowacki stated, This emphasizes the need to have recruitment classes and retain them. <br /> There have been steps toward increasing our capacity to retain officers but it is not easy. We <br /> used to have small recruit classes but having fifteen(15) or twenty(20) officers leave, per year, <br /> is a relatively new occurrence. <br /> Chief Ruszkowski stated, We had twenty-four (24) lateral transfers apply for the Police <br /> Department. These are individuals that have already gone through the Academy and were ready. <br /> One (1) made it on our Department. Some of the reasons people withdraw are unknown to us and <br /> we don't know how to predict that. All of this information is available at <br /> www.southbendpolice.com and we are the most transparent Department in the City of South <br /> Bend. He then briefly discussed a few specifics to a couple line items such as car maintenance, <br /> staff titles and time and pay logging. He continued, We are going to have to replace our radios <br /> soon and the estimated cost is $2 million. We have also requested another Armadillo vehicle. <br /> Committeemember Voorde asked, Has there been any thought to have a non-sworn officer crew <br /> to handle special events? <br /> Chief Ruszkowski replied, Yes in fact that is included in our part-time officer types. We are <br /> looking at everything. We have over three hundred (300) events a year that we staff. <br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis asked, Has there been any consideration for anyone to be cross <br /> trained as a Police Officer and Fire Fighter? <br /> Chief Ruszkowski replied, I haven't talked with anyone about that. There are State requirements <br /> for being both and I think that would be difficult to do. I could talk to my fellow chiefs in the <br /> area and all options are on the table. <br /> Councilmember Davis followed up,Are there any Cities that use TIF Funds to pay for police? <br /> Councilmember Scott asked, Is there anyone on payroll to help write grants? And how is Kronos <br /> working for you guys? <br /> Chief Ruszkowski replied, Yes we have a grant writer and have recently applied for a few grants. <br /> And Kronos is working well, it is saving a lot of paper. Going from no computer system to a <br /> computer system was helpful for us but we are still learning. <br /> Councilmember Dr. Varner asked, What Fund are your technology expenses coming out of? <br /> Mr. Glowacki replied, They are coming from the General Fund. <br /> Councilmember Dr. Varner followed up, What is the total budget request for IT Funds through <br /> all the Departments? I will talk to Admin and Finance about that. <br /> Councilmember Broden asked, What does the $400,000 increase in PSAP help with? Obviously <br /> underpaying your work is not good. Why is the lump sum coming from you if Fire is included in <br /> that too? <br /> 7 <br />