03/18/2015 Board of Public Safety Meeting

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REGULAR MEFTIN G MARCH 18, 2015 29 APPROVE HIRING AND SWEARING IN OF PROBATIONARY. POLICE OFFICERS - RANDALL MCMURRAY - SIENNA VALDEZ - TRAVIS KUKLA - DEVON GILBERT - JOSHUA BROOKS - CHRISTOPHER BUTLER In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Ronald Teachman recommended that the six candidate listed above be accepted for employment on aprobationary basis with the South Bend Police Department effective. March 18, 2015. He stated they have all met the requirements of the application process of the South Bend Police Department and graduated from the Indiana Police Academy on Friday March 13, 2015. Chief Teachman elaborated on each of the candidate's qualifications. He stated Randall McMurray is the grandson of a pastor and nephew of a former Police Chief in Muskegon, Michigan. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University. He worked as a security officer at the University before agreeing to take this position with the South Bend Police Department. Chief Teachman stated Sienna Valdez attended Missouri Baptist University where she studied criminal justice, and is the first female to receive a scholarship to wrestle in the State of Indiana at the collegiate level. Her volunteer work included a reserve Police Officer at the Roseland Police Department and a head coach with the Penn High School Wrestling Team where she went on to lead her team to three (3) consecutive championships. Travis Kukla is a graduate of Mishawaka High School and has worked at the St. Joseph County jail, and is currently working towards a degree in business at IUSB. Devon Gilbert graduated from Purdue University and was employed at the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department as a Director of the Children's Summer Program, and graduated with honors from the Indiana Law Academy, 3`a in a class of 137. Joshua Brooks received his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Muskegon Community College and his Bachelor's degree from DeVry University. He is also a graduate of both the Indiana and Michigan police Academies. He served with the Indiana Department of Corrections for many years, and Federal Bureau of prisons and most recently as a parole agent for recovering sexual offenders for the South Bend's parole district. Christopher Butler graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in law enforcement and justice administration and previously worked as a corrections officer at the LaPorte County jail. Chief Teachman introduced Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Mayor Buttigieg apologized for running late and stated he didn't want to miss the opportunity to take part in the swearing -in ceremony. He stated he is proud of the candidates and noted the newer classes go through in a different way than previously done; they've already been though a number of rigorous steps in training and qualification and are already a credit to South Bend by performing above and beyond what is expected of them. Mayor Buttigieg stated they will wear the name of the City on their badge, and it is already stitched to their shoulder. He noted not a lot of City employees are able to say that and one of the reasons that is so important is they represent the City; they represent the most fundamental thing about government; the fact that government has a monopoly on the legitimate use of force. The authority of the force of our government to do good on behalf of the people of our community is placed in their hands. He stated theirjudgement, forbearance, and training will mean everything when it comes to justifying that trust that the residents of the community place in all of us in public service, trusting us with their money, and trusting us with their lives. He noted they are on the forefront of that and that's why they wear the name of the city on their uniform. He stated when you wear the name of the City on your uniform, you are the uniform; a lot of people who see you won't know you; they won't know your Personality, they won't know your family, they won't know your story, they won't know your sense of humor. All they know is that you represent the City. He stated how they conduct themselves will mean everything and they will be a credit to the City in terms of the relationship people have with them in both good times and bad. He noted the hope is they will come to know the neighborhoods they control and the residents, and notj ust in an emergency, but in good times also so there is a true authentic relationship of trust. Mayor Buttigieg made note of all of the brass present, the Board of Safety, and the chain of command and stated there are two things the new recruits can come to expect; they can expect their supervisors to be supportive and demanding. He noted they are going to be supportive because they want to be a great employer because they're glad the new officers are here because they were selected from a great number of applicants, and because this is a career the City values, we value the work they put in. They are also going to be demanding because of the importance of the work they put in and how important it is that they meet the the very high standards