06/17/2015 Board of Public Safety Meeting

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION JUNE 17, 2015 45 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:07 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 in the 13°i Floor Boardroom, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President John Collins and Board Members Eddie Miller, Luther Taylor, and Daniel Jones present. Also present was Police Chief Ronald Teachman, Fire Chief Stephen Cox, and Attorneys Elliot Anderson, Jessica Brock, and Stephanie Steele. Board members discussed the following agenda items: - Donation Police Department Chief Teacbman stated this donation of $1,000.00 for the Canine Unit is to be used for what best serves their needs. He noted this is one of several generous donations from the Weiss family. - Justice Assistance Grant President Collins noted the addition of the Justice Assistant Grant application to the agenda. Chief Teachman stated an officer would be present to discuss the grant application at the regular meeting. - Ambulance Staffing Agreement Fire Chief Stephen Cox stated this has been an on -going agreement since 1989, and was already approved by the Board of Public Works. He stated the agreement is for the Fire Department to provide drivers for the hospital's pediatric ambulance. - Duty Manual Update Fire Chief Cox stated his staff has gone over the entire Duty Manual and made significant changes in the Uniform Section. He added he is asking for the Board to review the draft supplied to them over the next month and approve it at their next month's meeting. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Chief Teachman stated he has two issues he is asking for the Board to discuss. The first issue is when there is apromotion in the Police Department, the officer is put on probation for one (1) year. Chief Teachman questioned if it is the Board's understanding if the officer being promoted doesn't pass the one (1) year performance review, that the officer is demoted back to their previous position. Secondly, Chief Teachman stated that after eighteen (18) months served, an officer is automatically promoted to Sergeant at the same pay; it is just a name status promotion. Due to this policy, Chief Teachman stated, many detectives still carry that rank, even though they have never supervised anyone. He noted that now there is a legacy of S gt. Detectives who they are considering putting back into patrol. He noted they will not supervise anyone, and have not had training or experience in supervision. Chief Teachman stated he feels they are a liability being put back to that role, carrying that title. He added they are having discussions with the union about this, but he wanted to get the Board's feedback. Ms. Brock asked if he wanted this added to the agenda. Chief Teachman stated it didn't need to be, he just was asking for the Board to think about these two issues. Ms. Brock stated it can be added to the agenda and tabled until the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAF Jo llins, President Eddie Miller, Member Luther Taylo em ¢a Daniel JofieI Member ATTEST: Lm a M .Martin, Clerk