Press Release 9-12-13 City Council Seeks Answers from Mayor

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......... . .. .... ... NEWS RELEASE Date: Thursday, September 12, 2013, 11:00 a.m. From: Officers of the South Bend Common Council: 6th District Council Member Oliver J. Davis, Council vice-President Contact: 876-6938 Council Member at Large Karen L. White,Health &Public Safety Chair Contact: 235-5985 Council Member at Large Derek D. Dieter, Council President Contact: 532-2200 City Council Officers Seeks Answers From the Mayor„on Police Chief As of today, we have not received an update from the Mayor, who, along with us, promotes transparency and collaboration of City government operations. Mayor Pete has the ISP report. This matter was raised originally with the Council back in May. Delay is not in the best interests of our City or the day-to-day operations of the South Bend Police Department. The SBPD and the tax-paying citizens need to know the results of that investigation so we can move forward. At the May 29€3' Common Council Meeting, Rev. Greg Brown filed a Privilege of the Floor form with the City Council. It requested the City to look into matters involving the South Bend Police Chief. The next day the request referred to the Board of Public Safety. Council procedures provide that issues raised during the Privilege of the Floor to be handed off to the proper agency who oversees the subject area involved. The matter was simultaneously referred to Council Member White, health and Public Safety Committee Chairperson to monitor. At Monday night's Common Council meeting, Rev. Greg Brown again spoke during the Privilege of the Floor portion and submitted another request for an update on the same topic. The Board of Public Safety held an Executive Session at 8 a.m. Monday to discuss various matters related to the South Bend Police Department. Their posted agenda included "Discussion of Indiana State Police Investigation of Police Chief'. Based on news media reports, it is our understanding that this particular matter was then referred directly to the Mayor. On Tuesday a letter was sent to the Mayor summarizing the following actions (attached) and gave a copy of the new POV request from Rev. Brown seeking an update: May 30, 2013 Transmittal letter with POV# 13-7 sent to the President of the Board of Public Safety June 10, 2013 Letter from the Council Attorney to the President of the Board of Public Safety requesting a status update June 11, 2013 Letter from the Clerk of the Board of Public Safety to the Common Council confirming receipt of POV # 13-7 and correspondence June 19,2013 Letter from the Clerk of the Board of Public Safety to the Common Council confirming that a Special Meeting of the Board of Public Safety would be called for June 24, 2013 June 24, 2013 Copy of a letter signed by the President of the Board of Public Safety which was sent to the Superintendent of the Indiana State Police requesting an administrative investigation