05/15/13 Board of Public Safety Meeting Minutes

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION MAY 15 2013 40 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:05 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 in the IP Floor Board Conference Room, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Patrick D. Cottrell and Board Members Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor present. Board Member Laura Vasquez was absent. Also present was Attorney Andrea Beachkofsky, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, and Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Myer. Board members discussed the following agenda items: - Monthly Statistical Analysis — April - PoIice Department Police Chief Ronald Teachman stated that crime statistics are down overall by 15 %, with Part 1 Crimes down 8 %. He noted that Robbery and Motor Vehicle Theft are the two crime rates that are up. Chief Teachman stated he noticed the statistics on rape have remained flat and that alerted him that the crime is not being tracked according to the new definition of rape. He informed the Board that affective in 2013, the definition of rape is much more comprehensive, replacing the wording with lack of consent instead of force, and referencing any body part violated instead of specific body parts. Chief Teachman noted that South Bend Police were not aware of the change, and are therefore reviewing all reports back to January to see what fits the new guidelines. He stated this will drive up the numbers and therefore next month's report will show a significant increase. Chief Teachman stated he will attach the new guidelines for rape with his next month's statistics. - Acknowledge Top Six Candidates — South Bend Fire Department Captain's Promotion Process Assistant Chief Andy Myer explained the process used for the selection of the top candidates for Captain, to the Board. He noted this is the first time they have done an internal screening. He stated they worked with the Labor Management Committee and composed their own questions for both the written and the verbal tests. Chief Myer stated the process worked well in weeding out candidates. He explained the first test was a written test with a pass /fail score; the second and third tests were oral interviews, with the second test showing the top 30 %, and the third test producing the final scores of each individual. Request for Leave of Absence — Fire Department Ms. Beachkofsky stated this request is for a sabbatical for educational purposes. She noted the question came up on whether the Fire Department continues to fund the Firefighter's benefits. She stated she has a call in to the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) and they are checking on it. Ms. Beachkofsky stated Firefighter Bennion is asking for unpaid Ieave, but the City will still be paying into his insurance, pension, and will cover him with a life insurance policy while he is gone. Assistant Chief Andy Myer stated that Fire Chief Steve Cox is fine with the leave as long as it doesn't create a financial burden on the City. Ms. Beachkofsky noted the firefighter did not submit his request in a timely manner and she understands that the Board will need to vote on it, but she is waiting for confirmation from PERF if there will be a cost to the City. - Additions to the Agenda President Cottrell stated he would like to add a Discussion on Reporting of Personnel Issues; a Discussion on Setting Discovery and Production Deadlines; and a report on the Towing List to the agenda. Ms. Beachkofsky added that the Statute covering Leave of Absence should be included on the agenda for the Executive Session also. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Beachkofsky declared the meeting adjourned at 8:21 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Patrick D, Cottrell, Member aura A, Vasquez, �4ember Eddie Miller, Member