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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10192022 Board of Public Safety Meeting68 I.EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board of Public Safety met in Executive Session on Wednesday October 19, 2022, at 8:31 a.m. with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller, Lee Ross, Al Kirsits and Attorney Danielle Weiss. The meeting was held in the 13th Floor Boardroom, County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, for the purposes specified in I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(A) for discussion of strategy with respect to collective bargaining and I.C. 5-14-1.5- 6.1(b)(6)(A) to receive information concerning an individual’s alleged misconduct. The meeting ended at 9:09 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member ______________________________ Lee Ross, Member ______________________________ Alfred Kirsits, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk II. REGULAR MEETING October 19, 2022 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:17 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller and Lee Ross were present. Also present were Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Damiano, and Attorneys Danielle Weiss, Kylie Connell, Adam Taylor, and Board Clerk Theresa Heffner was also present. The meeting was held on the 4th Floor Council Chambers Room, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/BPS10192022 Attorney Weiss asked that everyone mute their microphone when not speaking and reminded attendees that comments from the public should be saved for the Privilege of the Floor portion of the meeting. Attorney Weiss then read through the agenda to note any additions or corrections. Attorney Weiss welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of all Board Members. A.APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Lee Ross and carried by roll call, the Boardapproved the Minutes of the September 21, 2022 regular meeting. B.APPROVE 2023 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING SCHEDULEUpon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the Board approved the 2023 Board of Public Safety Meeting Schedule. C.POLICE DEPARTMENT 1.APPROVE 2023-2025 POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKING AGREEMENT Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the 2023-2025 Working Agreement between the SBPDand the FOP South Bend Lodge No. 36. Assistant City Attorney Kylie Connell discussed some of the changes in the new workingagreement before asking the Board for approval. REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2022 69 Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the Board approved the 2023 Working Agreement. 2. APPROVE HIRING OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER - ROSIE STAATZ Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the hiring of Probationary Police Officer Rosie Aurora Staatz effective October 19, 2022. Chief Stated that Officer Staatz has met the requirements of the application process of the South Bend Police Department and graduated from the Indiana State Academy on Friday October 14, 2022. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the hiring of Probationary Police Officer Rosie Staatz. 3. SWEARING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER - ROSIE STAATZ Captain Fulnecky gave a brief biography of the Officer highlighting her talents, achievements, education, and interests. City Clerk Dawn Jones administered the oath, followed by the badge pinning. 4. APPROVE PROMOTION TO LIEUTENANT - KAYLA MILLER Chief Ruszkowski submitted a recommendation that Lieutenant Kayla Miller be promoted permanently to the rank of Lieutenant, no longer in special assignment, effective October 20, 2022. Chief Ruszkowski stated Sgt. Kayla Miller was placed in special assignment as a Lieutenant in the Investigative Bureau on October 20, 2021. Chief noted that this special assignment required several evaluations to be completed for one year to note the progress she was making as a supervisor. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call, the Promotion to Lieutenant, no longer in Special Assignment, was approved. 5. APPROVE PROMOTION TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASS David Finn Dominick Rodriguez Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the above officers be promoted to Patrolman 1st Class. Chief stated that both individuals have successfully met the requirements outlined in the working agreement to become Patrolman 1st Class within the SBPD. Chief stated Officer Finn’s promotion will be effective November 1, 2022 and Officer Rodriguez’s will be effective October 20, 2022. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the above officers were promoted to Patrolman 1st Class. 6. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT - KEITH WALKER Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a letter of Application and Declaration for Retirement for Patrolman Keith Walker. Chief stated Officer Walker is retiring in good standing from the SBPD effective November 10, 2022 and will have been with the department for twenty (20) years, one (1) month, and twenty-three (23) days. Chief Ruszkowski thanked him for his many years of service with the SBPD and wished him success in his new endeavors. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved. 7. APPROVE PROPOSED CHANGES TO EXISTING LEXIPOL POLICIES Assistant City Attorney Kylie Connell requested that Lexipol Policy 334 - Public Safety Video Surveillance System be tabled. She noted that they have not yet received feedback from the community action group meeting and expert feedback to be able to provide final approval. Mr. Heller noted his concern that he had not seen any changes or any feedback from the community action group. Mr. Ross stated that two (2) of the Board members were there and provided feedback. Attorney Connell advised that Lexipol policy 1001- Change of Assignments, Promotions, and REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2022 70 Probationary Periods is an update in the promotion process. Administration, the FOP, and the labor management committee have been in discussions about the promotional process and updating it to make it more feasible for officers who want to engage in the promotional process and to have more consistent language in the policies. Attorney Connell continued to add that this policy has been worked out after discussions with the labor management team, administration, and with the agency that administers the promotional process testing. Attorney Connell advised that she is looking for approval from the Board for Policy 1001 so that the SBPD can begin the promotional process in November. Mr. Heller asked why the policy was only provided to the Board a week prior to the Board meeting, and he asked how long it had been in process. Attorney Connell answered that there have been meetings over the last couple of months, but the draft that was provided to the Board was done days before it was submitted. Chief Ruszkowski explained that this policy has been a work in progress for about two (2) years and some of the feedback came from individual members and labor management because they didn’t feel the scoring system was fair. He stated that now the scoring is a pass/fail rather than a ranking score with other officers no longer being able to know how another officer scored. Chief Ruszkowski emphasized that the sense of urgency came because the two (2) year process currently in place is expiring, and there is a need to implement the new policy in November. He added that another component involves meeting with the company that administers the actual written test to refine some of the questions so that they align with the Department and the community’s needs and working with labor management to try to get them to understand where the company and administration are coming from, and for the Department in turn to understand where they are coming from. Mr. Heller asked if the significant changes in the policy could be recapped. Chief Ruszkowski explained that changes were noted in blue and red to indicate an addition or subtraction. Attorney Connell went through each of the significant changes for the Board. Mr. Kirsits asked if some of the wording in the policy was included in the Working Agreement as he thought he saw something in the Working Agreement about meritocracy. Attorney Connell stated that the promotional process was not included in the Working Agreement. Chief Ruszkowski noted that had to do with seniority when moving an officer to the day shift based off seniority and tenure. Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call Lexipol Policy 1001 was approved. 8. TABLE NEW LEXIPOL POLICY 343 - FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY Assistant City Attorney Kylie Connell requested that this policy be tabled. She noted that they have not yet received feedback from the community action group meeting and expert feedback to be able to provide final approval. 9. FILE 3RD QUARTER REPORT FOR SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS Chief Ruszkowski submitted the 3rd Quarter Training and Travel Report for Specialized Schools for July, August, and September of 2022. 10. RECEIVE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT SEPTEMBER 2022 Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for September. REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2022 71 2022. Chief Ruszkowski advised that there was a thirteen percent (13%) decrease in Part One Offenses from September 2021 and September 2022. Aggravated Assaults were down as well as robberies, but unfortunately, homicides were up thirty-eight percent (38%). C. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE PROMOTIONS TO CAPTAIN Shawn Kuminecz Kyle Wyszynski Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a letter to the Board recommending the above firefighters be promoted to Captain, no longer in special assignment, effective October 20, 2022. Chief Buchanon stated in his letter that both firefighters were placed in the position of Captain in Special Assignment (CISA) on October 19, 2021. This special assignment required several evaluations in order to determine Firefighter Kuminecz and Firefighter Wyszynski’s abilities in a leadership role. Chief Buchanon wrote they had completed all requirements of the position in an outstanding fashion. Assistant Chief Mike Damiano read the letter to the Board on Chief Buchanon’s behalf. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits and followed by a roll call, the Promotion’s to Captain were approved. 2. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT - TIM ENRIGHT Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a letter of Application and Declaration for Retirement for Firefighter Tim Enright Badge #421. Chief wrote that Firefighter Enright was appointed to the SBFD on March 20, 1997 and has served with loyalty and honor in fire suppression for over twenty five (25) years, and his effective date of retirement was October 3, 2022. Chief Buchanon’s letter asked the Board to join them in appreciation and gratitude for his commitment and distinguished service to the SBFD and the citizens of the City of South Bend and wished him many years of good health and happiness in his retirement. Assistant REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2022 72 Chief Mike Damiano read the letter to the Board on Chief Buchanon’s behalf. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved. 3. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2022 Chief Carol Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for September 2022. Assistant Chief Mike Damiano noted the monthly statistical analysis report from September 2021 to September 2022 and offered to answer any questions the Board had. D. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Attorney Weiss reminded the public to use the hand-raising function of Microsoft Teams to indicate their desire to speak during Privilege of the Floor. She reminded attendees that they would be allotted three (3) minutes to speak. Chief Ruszkowski started by saying that he wanted to clear up some confusion on the Police Academy that begins October 31, 2022. Chief Ruszkowski recalled there were some media stories that were stating that this would be a full-time time Academy by the SBPD, and he clarified that due to significant expenses this would not turn into a full-time program but will be a two (2) time program to help ease the officer shortage and get more recruits trained for the SBPD and other local agencies. There was nobody else in person or online via Microsoft Teams that indicated they wished to speak. E. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Darryl Heller and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 9:56 a.m. REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2022 73 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member ______________________________ Lee Ross, Member ______________________________ Alfred Kirsits, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk