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aOutlook <br /> Fw: Police Merit Board <br /> From Rachel Tomas Morgan <rtomasmo@southbendin.gov> <br /> Date Tue 11/19/2024 2:55 PM <br /> To City Clerk <sbcityclerk@southbendin.gov> <br /> Filed in Clerk's Office <br /> HC�V 19 2024 <br /> Bianca Tirado <br /> City Clerk, South Bend, IN <br /> _0, I►, Rachel Tomas Morgan <br /> E "; At-Large Council Member <br /> South Bend Common Council <br /> 17%.5 - (574) 235-5982 <br /> rtomasmo@ southbendin.gov <br /> City of South Bend <br /> 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. <br /> South Bend, IN 46601 <br /> From:Amy Jobst<amydjobst@gmail.com> <br /> Sent: Monday, November 18, 2024 2:10 PM <br /> To: Sharon McBride<smcbride@southbendin.gov>; Oliver Davis <odavis@southbendin.gov>; Rachel Tomas <br /> Morgan <rtomasmo@southbendin.gov>; Karen L. White<kwhite@southbendin.gov> <br /> Subject: Police Merit Board <br /> Dear South Bend Council Members- <br /> I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my concern regarding the proposed <br /> formation of a police merit board where Two out of the Five members would be chosen by the police <br /> department itself. <br /> While I understand the intention of such a board may be to ensure accountability within the police <br /> force, I strongly believe that it is crucial for the board to have independent, non-biased members. The <br /> current proposal, which allows the police to select two seats of the board members, undermines the <br /> integrity of the oversight process and could create a conflict of interest. For the board to function <br /> effectively and earn the trust of the community, its members must be impartial, transparent, and <br /> representative of the diverse perspectives within our city. We also have a Board that currently provides <br /> the actions that Bill 65-24 seeks to provide, the Board of Public Safety. All of the work that has gone <br /> into convening this Board seems wasted with the proposal of the Merit Board. <br /> I respectfully urge you to reconsider the structure of this board and ensure that its members are <br /> selected in a way that prioritizes impartiality and transparency, with ALL members being independent <br /> of the police department. <br /> Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and hope that <br /> you will advocate for a more balanced approach that reflects the interests of all members of our <br />