HomeMy WebLinkAbout04192023 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesREGULAR MEETING APRIL 19, 2023 22
I. REGULAR MEETING April 19, 2023 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:16 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller, Lee Ross, and Pamela Claeys was present. Also present were Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, and Attorneys Danielle Campbell Weiss, Kylie Connell, Adam Taylor, and Board Clerk Theresa
Heffner. Board Member Al Kirsits was not 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/2023BPSHybrid
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. A. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Board President Dan Jones welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of
Board Members, and noted Al Kirsits was not present. B. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Pamela Claeys and carried by a roll call, the Board
approved the Minutes of the March 15, 2023 regular meeting. Darryl Heller abstained from
voting, due to not being at the March 15, 2023 meeting. C. POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. APPROVE HIRING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICERS
Kadeen Hughes Andrew Witt Chief Ruszkowski submitted a Letter of Recommendation for the hiring of the Probationary Police Officers listed above, effective April 19, 2023. Chief Ruszkowski stated the following
individuals have met the requirements of the application process of the South Bend Police
Department. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Pamela Claeys and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the hiring of the above Probationary Police Officers.
2. SWEARING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER Captain Fulnecky gave a brief biography of the Officers highlighting their talents, achievements, education, and interests. City Clerk Dawn Jones administered the oath which was then followed by the badge pinning.
3. RECEIVE LETTER OF PROMOTION TO PATROL DIVISION CHIEF - JOSEPH LESZCZYNSKI Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter informing the Board of Public Safety that Captain Joseph Leszczynski, PN 409 was appointed to the rank of Patrol Division Chief effective April 8, 2023. Chief stated Captain Leszczynski was sworn to the department on March 29,
1989 and asked the Board to join him in congratulating Division Chief Leszczynski on his promotion. 4. APPROVE PROMOTIONS TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASS
Chad Beatty
Rosie Staatz Chief Ruszkowski submitted Letters of recommendations for the above officers to be promoted to Patrolman 1st Class. Chief stated the above officers have successfully met the requirements outlined in the working agreement to become Patrolman 1st Class with the
South Bend Police Department. Chief Ruszkowski noted that Officer Beatty’s effective date
was April 6, 2023, and Officer Staatz’s effective date was April 18, 2023. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the promotions to Patrolman 1st Class.
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COMMENDATION - ZACHERY WELLS Chief Ruszkowski submitted a Commendation Recommendation Report for Officer Zachery
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 19, 2023 23
Wells. Chief Ruszkowski stated on March 27, 2023, Officer Wells received a call from dispatch for shots fired. Officer Wells was the first patrol unit on the scene and was able to locate the victim and apply a tourniquet to the victim’s leg where they were shot. Chief Ruszkowski emphasized that because of Officer Well’s actions, the victim survived.
President Jones thanked Officer Wells on behalf of the Board and asked Chief Ruszkowski to make sure he was presented with a Commendation Coin. 6. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT - ANDREW
NOWAK
Chief Ruszkowski submitted a Letter of Application and Declaration for Retirement for Officer Andrew Nowak, PN 2102. Chief stated Officer Nowak is retiring in good standing, from the SBPD, effective April 25, 2023, he will have been with the department for twenty (20) years and three (3) 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 Pamela Claeys, and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved. President Jones stated Officer Nowak will be presented with a Commendation coin for his twenty (20) years of service.
7. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION Dillon Dugger Travis Waits Chief Ruszkowski submitted Letters of Resignation for the above Officers. Chief stated Officer Dugger was sworn in to the SBPD on June 19, 2019 and his effective resignation
date was April 7, 2023. Chief noted Officer Travis Waits was sworn in to the SBPD on December 7, 2022 and his effective resignation date was March 29, 2023. President Jones accepted the Letters on behalf of the Board. 8. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICIES
429 – Medical Aid and Response 803 – Records Maintenance and Release 900 – Temporary Custody of Adults 1024 – Temporary Modified Duty Assignments
Attorney Kylie Connell submitted the proposed changes for the Lexipol Polices for the above sections and asked for approval. Attorney Connell gave a summary of the above policies. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call the
proposed changes to the Lexipol Policies were approved. 9. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT MARCH 2023 Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for March 2023.
Chief Ruszkowski stated that there was an overall increase of eighteen percent (18%) in Part
One Offenses, he stated there was a sixty-seven percent (67%) increase in homicides, fifty-two percent (52%) increase in robberies and a fifty percent (50%) increase in arsons. The Chief stated these categories were significant increases from this time last year.
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 19, 2023 24
D. FIRE DEPARTMENT
1. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARTION FOR RETIREMENT - TRACEY CANNADY Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a Letter of Application and Declaration for Retirement for Firefighter Tracey Cannady, Badge No. 432. The Chief wrote that Firefighter Cannady was appointed to the SBFD on October 24, 1997, spending most of his years at Fire Station No.
6. His effective date of retirement was April 4, 2023. Chief Buchanon 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 on his retirement.
Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved. President Jones thanked Firefighter Cannady and stated he would be presented with a Commendation Coin for his twenty-five (25) years of service.
Member Lee Ross gave his condolences on the passing of former Firefighter Jack Reed. Chief Buchanon also noted the passing of two (2) other Firefighters, Preston Johnson and Jack Crittendon, and stated this has been a trying month for the SBFD family. 2. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICIES
100 – Fire Service Authority 101 – Oath of Office 102 – Policy Manual 200 – Organizational Structure 201 – Emergency Action Plan and Fire Prevention Plan
202 – General Orders 203 – Training Orders 204 – Liability Claims 205 – Electronic Mail 206 – Administrative Communications
207 – Minimum Staffing Levels 208 – After Action Reviews 209 – Annual Planning Master Calendar 210 – Daily Activity Log - Journal
Attorney Adam Taylor submitted the above Lexipol Polices for approval, and reminded the Board Members and the public that the above polices were submitted to the Board at the March 2023 Board of Public Safety Meeting. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call the
proposed changes for the Lexipol Polices were approved.
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 19, 2023 25
3. RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 300 – Incident Management 301 – Emergency and Non-Emergency Responses 302 – Urban Search and Rescue 303 – Response Time Standards
304 – Safely Surrendered Baby Law 305 – News Media and Community Relations 306 – Scene Preservation 307 – Child Abuse 308 – Disposition of Valuables
309 – Performance of Duties 310 – Adult Abuse 311 – Traffic Accidents 312 – Line of Duty Death and Serious Injury Investications 313 – National Fire Incident Report System
314 – Ride-along Program 315 – Greocery Shopping On-Duty 316 – Active Shooter and Other Violent Incidents 317 – Duty Firearms and Use of Force (previously approved by BOPS) 318 – Mobile and Portable Audio/Recorders
319 – Unmanned Aerial Systems Attorney Adam Taylor submited the above Lexipol Policies for review by the Board and to considered for approval at the next Board Meeting. Attorney Taylor did a summary of each item above.
4. FILE QUARTERLY TRAVEL AND TRAINING REPORT Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the quarterly travel and training report for January, February, and March of 2023.
5. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR MARCH 2023
Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for March 2023. Chief stated structure fires were three (3) times the amount as last year,and stated due to the economy, the cost of materials have escalated and this is what the cost factor is now compared to the same time as last year. Chief also stated the inspectors have been able to
complete about one and a half (1.5) times more inspections than last year. Chief Buchanon
noted the amount of monthly calls totalled 4,805 and said that this is a lot of calls for a one (1) month period. Chief Buchanon also noted they are maintaining their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide installations, and are being proactive to inform the South Bend citizens of the program.
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 19, 2023 26
F.PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOORAttorney Weiss reminded the public to use the hand-raising function of Microsoft Teams toindicate their desire to speak during Privilege of the Floor. She reminded attendees that theywould be allotted three (3) minutes to speak.
Attorney Kylie Connell wanted to make it clear on her comment regarding Lexipol Policy803 – Records Maintenance and Release, that the SBPD has been following the law, thePrior Policy was not accurate, but the Records Department has been executing the Access toPublic Records Act (APRA)and pulling records requests in accordance with the law.
G.ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Darryl Heller,seconded by Lee Ross, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 10:52 a.m.
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Daniel Jones, President
Darryl Heller, Member
______________________________
Lee Ross, Member
______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member
ATTEST:
___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk