HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2022 Health & Public Safety (Signed)FEACE
HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY JANUARY 10, 2022, 4:45 P.M.
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:None
Other Council Present:
Other Council Absent:None
Others Present:
Presenters:Scott Ruszkowski
Agenda:
Bill No. 22-01
Scott Ruszkowski, South Bend Chief of Police, 701 W Sample Street, presented Bill No. 22-01.
Bill No. 22-01 - Resolution Approving Interlocal Agreement
for Law Enforcement Special Victims Unit
Dawn Jones, Rachael Coates, Bianca Tirado, Elivet
Navarro, Bob Palmer
Mr. Ruszkowski confirmed. He stated that in-house officers will be assessing domestic violence
cases, and the family violence unit will handle all children offences and sexual assaults.
Chair Eli Wax stated that this resolution is for Council to approve entrance into an agreement
between St. Joseph County, Mishawaka, and South Bend, to recreate the special victims’ unit.
Committeemember Troy Warner stated that he took part in drafting this agreement and represents
a party to the agreement from the police and will thus recuse himself from the vote on this bill.
Chair Wax requested confirmation that two (2) sworn officers would be part of SVU, and the
Department would provide funding for three (3) additional officers, for a total contribution of five
(5) officers from the City.
Committee Chair Eli Wax called to order the Health and Public Safety Committee meeting at
4:45 p.m. and proceeded to hand the meeting over to the first presenter.
Eli Wax, Karen L. White, Rachel Tomas Morgan, Troy
Warner, Canneth Lee
Lori K. Hamann, Henry Davis Jr., Sheila Niezgodski,
Sharon L. McBride
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Office of the City Clerk
Dawn M. Jones, City Clerk
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455 County-City Building; 227 W. Jefferson Bvfd South Bend. Indiana 46601 p574.235.9221 f574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov
CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Eli Wax, Committee Chair
Committeemember Rachel Tomas Morgan made a motion to send Bill No. 22-01 to the Full
Council with a favorable recommendation. Committeemember Karen L. White seconded the
motion, which carried by a voice vote of four (4) ayes. Committeemember Troy Warner abstained.
Councilmember Henry Davis Jr., stated that South Bend is down twenty (20) to thirty (30) officers,
and there is a crime issue. It would be prudent for the Committee to discuss these issues and
funding for related initiatives in the future, with an update from law enforcement.
With no further business, Chair Eli Wax thanked everyone for participating and adjourned the
Health and Public Safety meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Ruszkowski stated that this MOU is based on one of the seven (7) recommendations previously
made for the SVU.
Committeemembers Rachel Tomas Morgan and Canneth Lee thanked all those involved in
drafting this cooperative agreement. The rate of solved cases is remarkable.
Mr. Ruszkowski responded that this amount is for the three (3) non-swom South Bend police
officers, who will likely be from other agencies or retired South Bend officers in good standing.
The latter would have to receive an exemption from City legal.
Councilmember Lori K. Hamann asked whether the SVU falls under CRB purview for complaints
as per section six point zero three (6.03).
Committeemember Karen L. White asked what the funding of over two hundred and ninety-seven
thousand dollars ($297,000) is for.
Mr. Ruszkowski responded that a complaint could come from any employee, police officer, or
community member. Depending on the violation, two (2) separate investigations would take place.
SPBD and family justice center rules must be followed.
EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
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