04/16/14 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION APRIL 16, 2014 24 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in the 13'h Floor Board Conference Room, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Laura Vasquez and Board Members Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor present. Board Member Daniel Jones was absent. Also present was Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Assistant Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, and Attorney Cory Hamel. Board members discussed the following agenda items: - Executive Session Agenda Attorney Cory Hamel stated going forward, the agenda would need the addition of Indiana Code 5- 14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(a) for Collective Bargaining sessions added through October to the Executive Session. - List for Captain Promotions — Fire Department Chief Cox explained to the Board that they did not anticipate all the retirements in the Fire Department this year. He noted they went through the top six (6) individuals on the interviews for Captain promotions several months ago, and have exhausted the list. Now, he explained, they have interviewed the next six (6) candidates on the promotion list and scored them for this new list. Chief Cox stated he is asking the Board to accept their recommendations for those six (6) individuals for any upcoming promotions. He noted the new system put in place allows for those already in position of Captain to sit in on the interviews along with the administration, with the goal of trying to include union leadership along with the administration for promotions in Captaincy. - Approve Resignation — Fire Department Chief Cox stated this was another request they didn't anticipate. Firefighter Gale Evans went through testing for the Hammond Fire Department and is moving for personal reasons. - Monthly Statistical Analysis — Fire Department Chief Cox noted a low fire volume for the month of March due to half the amount of structure fires. - Request for Hearing Attorney Hamel stated Attorney Thomas Dixon has requested a hearing on behalf of his client Firefighter Timothy Greenlee. He stated if the Board wished to set the hearing today, they would need to set a date between May 16 and May 30, 2014, or the Board can set a date later, from fifteen (15) to thirty (30) days from notice of setting a hearing. Mr. Hamel read the Indiana Statute which states the hearing must be held not more than thirty (3 0) days after the request for a hearing unless a later date is mutually agreed upon by all parties. Mr. Hamel stated the Board would have to set the date for setting a hearing between the 1St and IOth of May. - Promotion to Sergeant in Special Assignment — Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Ruszkowski elaborated on a new process being implemented for promotions, never done before. He explained they had the interview process with three (3) Patrol Captains out of nine (9) applicants that were rated one (1) through nine (9). He noted they submitted a resume, and along with that the review team looked at their attendance records, work ethic, performance, capabilities, etc. Chief Ruszkowski noted Patrolman Anthony Ieraci has a very good rapport with the community, a mild demeanor, and is very capable. He will go through extensive Supervisor Training and Orientation (STO) before being placed on the streets. Chief Ruszkowski stated he will work with Chiefs, the patrol division, records department, street crimes, attend Council meetings, and more, before he is placed on the streets. He added Patrolman Ieraci will be a floater, working all areas of the City to train. Mr. Collins commended Chief Ruszkowski for his innovative program for promoting and training. - Voluntary Demotion — Police Department Assistant Chief Ruszkowski stated Detective Sergeant Chris Kronewitter has requested this demotion in order to accept a position with the United States Marshal Task Force. He noted he doesn't lose pay, and he is still in the detective status. - Approve General Orders - License Plate Reader Policy Attorney Cory Hamel stated this policy has been in discussion for some time. Currently, he noted, one car is outfitted with a reader, it is not used every day. The policy has been in development for some time, and sets out basic rules and responsibilities regarding use of and restrictions on use of information and records obtained, and retention of data. Chief Ruszkowski added the reason this didn't come out right away is they needed to use the technology for a while and test it to set a policy. He added it is a very good policy, and basically does nothing more than an officer does without having to write it all down. Mr. Hamel elaborated this does the same thing, only much faster, as if we had the budget to hire three hundred (300) new officers and put them on the corner to write this information down. Ms. Vasquez questioned if there will be any additional cost. Chief Ruszkowski