04/18/12 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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AGENDA SESSION APRIL 18, 2012 22 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:06 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 in the Board of Works Conference Room, Ste. 1308, County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Patrick D. Cottrell and Board Members Laura Vasquez, Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor present. Also present were Police Chief Charles Hurley, Assistant Fire Chief Federico Rodriguez, and Board Attorney Andrea Beachkofsky. The meeting was held in the Board of Public Works Meeting Room, 13`h Floor County City Building, South Bend, Indiana. Board members discussed the following items from the agenda: - Findings of Fact — Charges 2012 -02 Andrea Beachkofsky, Legal, stated Charges 2012 -02 against PFC Christopher Bortone were approved at the Board's last meeting of March 21, 2012. Ms. Beachkofsky informed the Board that Patrolman Bortone sent a letter to the Board accepting the charges against him and the disciplinary action of a fifteen (15) day suspension without pay, and a letter of reprimand to be placed in his file. She noted now the Board needs to approve the Findings of Fact, approving the recommended discipline. - Employee of the Month — January, 2012 Interim Police Chief Charles Hurley stated Patrolman Joseph Cole was selected as Employee of the Month for January 2012 for his exceptional work in the arrest of a violent and dangerous individual. While on patrol, Patrolman Cole recognized an individual from a crime bulletin that stated he might be armed and dangerous. Patrolman Cole and his partner attempted to stop the suspected stolen vehicle. The suspect fled and a pursuit began with Patrolman Cole relaying his path on his police radio. During the pursuit, several articles were thrown from the vehicle, including a type of gas that was later determined to be a type of dangerous ammonia. The passenger of the suspect's vehicle exited the vehicle at one point and was arrested. The pursuit of the suspect continued until he eventually lost control of his car and went down a riverbank. The suspect was able to exit the car and jumped in the river, but quickly suffered from hypothermia and began floating downstream. The Police officers at the scene were able to throw a rope to him and pull him from the river. He was arrested and it was determined that the vehicle was stolen, and the articles thrown from the vehicle were used for producing methamphetamine. A stolen handgun was also confiscated from the suspect. Chief Hurley stated Patrolman Cole did an excellent job of getting this violent and dangerous burglary suspect off the streets. He noted there were many officers that did an exceptional job that month, but it was determined that Patrolman Cole's efforts needed to be recognized. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Beachkofsky declared the meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Eddie Miller, - it lAn Collins, Member AFL �Tj� Luther Taylor, Mernider ATTEST: I nda M .Martin, Jerk u L