Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05172023 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesREGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2023 27 I. REGULAR MEETING May 17, 2023 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:18 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller, Lee Ross, Al Kirsits and Pamela Claeys were 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. 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 the Board Members. B. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pamela Claeys, and carried by a roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of the April 19, 2023 regular meeting. C. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. RECEIVE LETTERS OF RESIGNATION Chad Bartalone Kate Smith Chief Carl Buchanon submitted Letters of Resignation for Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Bartalone, Badge No. 582, and Firefighter Kate Smith, Badge No. 678. Chief Buchanon stated that Firefighter Chad Bartalone was appointed to the SBFD on October 19, 2011, and his effective date of resignation was April 24, 2023. Chief also stated Firefighter Kate Smith was appointed to the SBFD on February 2, 2021 and her effective date of resignation was May 7, 2023. President Jones accepted the Letters on behalf of the Board. 2. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 300 – Incident Man 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 Investigations 313 – National Fire Incident Report System 314 – Ride-along Program 315 – Grocery 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/Video Recorders 319 – Unmanned Aerial Systems Attorney 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 April 2023 Board of Public Safety Meeting. Mr. Heller asked about Lexipol Policy 317, if when grievances are made regarding excessive force and whether they are in consultation with the Citizen Review Board. REGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2023 28 Chief Buchanon noted that there is a difference between excessive use of force and use of force. The Fire Department’s use of force is used when restraining a patient in an EMS sense. If a patient requires assistance and they are combative, they may need to use soft restraints, that is their only use of force. Chief Buchanon added that the Duty Firearms also included under this policy, are primarily for the fire investigators and arson investigators that have undergone training at the SBPD and the State to legally carry a firearm. This is to protect them and provide safety and security when they are left at the scenes all hours of the night by themselves. This is the only time any firearms are allowed on any firetruck. Attorney Weiss added that the Citizen Review Board is actually titled Community Police Review Board and will only apply to the police department at this time. Attorney Taylor advised that Lexipol Policy 317.12.1 talks about a Use of Force Review Committee where in any instance where an investigator needs to restrain an individual, they would be subject to an internal review pursuant to the policy. Mr. Heller asked about Lexipol Policy 318.6.1 which states surreptitious use of audio/video recorders and asked if an example of when this would be applicable could be provided. Chief Buchanon gave the example of an investigator being open and transparent about using a recording device to collect information for their investigation, noting it is only for review by the investigator involving the case to ensure any information documented is accurate. Dr. Heller pointed out a typo under Lexipol Policy 319.8. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call the proposed changes for the Lexipol Polices were approved. 3. RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 400 – Fire Inspections 401 - Fire Investigations 402 – Code Enforcement 403 – Community Fire Station Tour Programs 404 – Fireworks Displays 405 – Hazardous Materials Disclosures 406 – Maximum Occupancy – Overcrowding 407 – Youth Firesetter Referrals 408 – Fire Watch Services 409 – Quality Assurance for Enforcementand Inspection Programs 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. Ms. Claeys asked if the City charges for Fire Inspections or if it is a service that is provided. Attorney Taylor explained that currently it is a service that is provided, but there has been some discussion about this due to the cost of staffing hours to provide the inspections. The ordinance specific to re-inspections does not allow for fee collection, but we have discussed amending the ordinance so they can recoup the cost for re-inspections, particularly for businesses that are non-compliant numerous times. Chief Buchanon added that this has been discussed for several years that we are providing a service, particularly for businesses that are receiving a profit. Some of the businesses need the inspection to be able to meet regulations to operate their businesses. The pandemic slowed things down, so it has taken a lot of staffing hours to get all the businesses back up and running. Ms. Claeys asked if the fire investigators are Fire Department personnel. Chief Buchannon responded, yes. Investigators and Inspectors are all sworn Firefighters. REGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2023 29 President Jones accepted the received Lexipol polices for review. 4. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR APRIL 2023 Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for April 2023. Chief Buchanon noted that the Fire Department only has three (3) inspectors, and they did 187 inspections for the month and that does not include re-inspections. Chief Buchanon noted that when there are fires happening in certain areas frequently, they let residents know to call the fire department if they need a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector and the SBFD is happy to assist. D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. RECEIVE LETTER OF PROMOTION TO PATROL DIVISION CAPTAIN TOMAR THOMAS Chief Ruszkowski submitted a Letter informing the Board, that Sergeant Tomar Thomas, PN2085 has been appointed to the rank of Captain in Patrol Division 2nd Detail, reporting to Patrol Division Chief Leszczynski. Chief stated Captain Thomas was sworn into the department April 24, 2002, and his effective date of this assignment is May 20, 2023. Chief asked the Board to join him in congratulating Captain Thomas on his promotion. 2. APPROVE LETTERS OF PROMOTIONS TO LIEUTENANT Maranda Baker Kyle Drury Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the promotion of Sergeant Maranda Baker PN2183, to the rank of Lieutenant, in special assignment in the Patrol Division, with a probationary period of one year. Chief stated Lieutenant Baker was sworn into the department June 2, 2010 and the effective date of the promotion is May 17, 2023. Chief Ruszkowski also noted that Lieutenant Baker will participate in the SB Police Supervisor Training and Orientation (STO) program, which is designed to develop leadership. The purpose is to train and evaluate performance throughout the process, assuring she has met the expectations and requirements. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call the Promotion to Lieutenant in Special Assignment was approved. Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the promotion of Sergeant Kyle Drury PN2171, to the rank of Lieutenant in special assignment in the Patrol Division, with a probationary period of one (1) year. Chief Ruszkowski stated Lieutenant Drury was sworn into the department on August 11, 2008 and the effective date of promotion is May 17, 2023. REGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2023 30 Chief Ruszkowski also noted that Lieutenant Drury will participate in the SB Police Supervisor Training and Orientation (STO) program, which is designed to develop leadership. The purpose is to train and evaluate performance throughout the process, assuring he has met the expectations and requirements. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the promotion to Lieutenant in Special Assignment. 3. APPROVE PROMOTION TO SERGEANT ANDREW HINES Chief Ruszkowski stated on May 18, 2022, Patrolman 1st Class Andrew Hines, PN2178 was placed in a special assignment as a Sergeant in the Detective Bureau, and this special assignment required monthly evaluations over the next year to note the progress he was making as a supervisor. Chief Ruszkowski stated that it is his recommendation that Sergeant Hines be promoted permanently to the rank of Sergeant, no longer in special assignment, and the effective date of this promotion is May 18, 2023. Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pamela Claeys, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the promotion to Sergeant, no longer in special assignment. 4. APPROVE PROMOTIONS TO SERGEANT IN SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT Randy Goering Anthony Dawson Tyler Donlon Chief Ruszkowski submitted letters informing the Board that Officer Goering, Officer Dawson, and Officer Donlon were promoted to the rank of Sergeant in special assignment, with a probationary period of one (1) year, with an effective date of May 17, 2023. The Chief stated all three (3) officers will participate in the SB Supervisor Training and Orientation (STO) program, which is designed to develop leadership-starting within, as a critical first line supervisor. The orientation process is two-fold: first, it is designed to ease the supervisor’s transition from patrolman first class setting to the actual supervisory duties which they will be assigned. Secondly, the purpose is to train and evaluate the new supervisors’ performance throughout the process, assuring he has met the expectations and requirements of the program. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the promotions to Sergeant in Special Assignment. 5. APPROVE PROMOTIONS TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASS Nicholaus Baab Dakota Cremeans Devonte Spratt Brock Staton Nathan Stoll Michael Dube Chief Ruszkowski submitted Letters of recommendation 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 SBPD. Chief Ruszkowski stated Officer Baab, Officer Cremeans, Officer Spratt, Officer Staton, and Officer Stoll’s effective date is May 18, 2023, and Officer Dube’s effective date is May 19, 2023. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the promotions to Patrolman 1st Class. 6. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT SHELDON SCOTT Chief Ruszkowski submitted a Letter of Application and Declaration for Retirement for Officer Sheldon Scott, PN 2103. Chief stated Officer Scott 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 asked the Board to join him in wishing him success in his new endeavors along with thanking him for his many years of service with the SBPD. REGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2023 31 Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved. 7. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION Lance Balsley Dakota Brink Larry Harris Chief Ruszkowski submitted Letters of Resignation for the above Officers. Chief stated Officer Balsley and Officer Brink were sworn into the department December 7, 2022, and Officer Balsley’s effective date was May 1, 2023 and Officer Brink’s effective date was May 11, 2023. Chief stated Officer Harris was sworn into the Department on February 3, 2020 and his effective date of resignation was May 10, 2023. President Jones accepted the Letters on behalf of the Board. 8. FILE QUARTERLY REPORT FOR SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the quarterly report for specialized schools for January, February, and March of 2023. Mr. Heller asked about the training for IDEA where it lists three (3) officers, but only two (2) of them attended the training. Chief Ruszkowski recalled that one (1) of them was unable to attend, but he would verify and get back to the Board members. Ms. Claeys asked about the local providers. Chief Ruszkowski explained that the SBPD is a regional academy and they host many trainings and there is a cost associated. They try to offer a lot of training in-house, but some training requires expertise. 9. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT APRIL 2023 Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for April 2023. REGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2023 32 President Jones asked if there has been any drop in the quality of the candidates due to the Streamlined process for new officers. Chief Ruszkowski explained that the streamlined process gets the officers through the testing phases quicker, but they are noticing a higher quality of applicants. 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 they would be allotted three (3) minutes to speak. Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski noted that in all of his years of service he has never seen afemale lieutenant on patrol, so that is very notable. G.ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by, seconded by,and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member ______________________________ Lee Ross, Member Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk