02/19/14 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION FEBRUARY 19 2014 10 The Board of public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:04 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 in the 13"' Floor Board Conference Room, County-City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Laura Vasquez and Board Members Luther Taylor and Daniel Jones present. Board Members Eddie Miller and John Collins were absent. Also present was Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, Assistant Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, and Attorney Cory Hamel. Board members discussed the following agenda items: Selection Panel Recommendation — Police Department The Board discussed the referral to a "Police Selection Panel' on the agenda, noting that this step in the process of swearing in Police recruits was previously eliminated as an unnecessary agenda item. Police Chief Ronald Teachman explained that his Memo to the Board requests they approve the recommendation of the Police Selection Panel of the Police Department, not the Board of Safety's Selection Panel. He stated each candidate is screened through many processes and approved before the recommendation to swear in the candidate is sent to the Board. The Board of Safety members agreed to leave this step in the process as a part of the Police Department's recommendation policy. Chief Teachman informed the Board that they are trying to delay the swearing -in of candidates to after graduation from the academy to allow a twelve (12) month period for evaluation of on- street performance, rather than having them spend that time in the classroom. He added the Law Enforcement Academy recommends you hold off swearing -in officers until after graduation. Accept and Approve Resignations — Police Department Chief Teachman stated one officer resigning, Brandon Lent, is a student officer who was sworn in by the Board so they will need to approve his resignation. Correction to Effective Retirement Dates — Police Department Chief Teachman stated he is asking the Board to approve corrected retirement dates for two officers, Ian McQueen and Sherri Taylor, who were previously approved by the Board for retirement effective February 14, 2014. Chief Teachman stated both of the officers were part of the drop program and were informed that if they worked one day past February 13, 2014, they would lose all of the drop program benefits. Therefore, he is asking the Board to approve February 13, 2014 as their corrected official retirement dates. Approve Promotions to Captain — Fire Department Fire Chief Stephen Cox stated both promotions to Captain are to fill vacancies due to retirements in the department. Chief Cox stated Gerard Ellis is very active in the community and serves as a Public Education Officer. He noted Darrell Eiler has played a leadership role in their training bureau. Chief Cox stated both candidates are fantastic individuals and very qualified. - Monthly Statistical Analysis — Fire Department Chief Cox stated property damage is up due to a large fire at Park Jefferson Apartments. He noted that normally fires at this complex cause $1,000,000.00 to $1,500,000.00 in property damage. Due to a combination of fire prevention training at the complex and the excellent work of the firefighters, the structural damage from this fire showed a significant decrease. Chief Cox stated Investigators are looking at the cause of fires rather than at arson statistics, which is a Police enforcement category. He explained the Fire Department is now looking at whether the fire is accidental, natural, incendiary, or undetermined. Chief Cox stated the significant decline in property damage speaks to the fire prevention education being done in the community. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Fire Chief Steve Cox informed the Board that a new recruiting class has started, with expected graduation approximately June 21, 2014. He stated he is hoping to hold the ceremony during the June Board of Safety meeting and at the new Luther Taylor Senior Fire Training Center. Secondly, Chief Cox stated, he wanted to share with the Board that Attorney Cory Hamel recently attended a conference and learned of a change in State law in 2011 that allows the Fire Department to recoup more money on ambulance reimbursement charges. He added the Fire Department looks to recoup a substantial amount of money if the Medicare based program works. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 8:34 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY