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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12202023 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesDECEMBER 20, 2023 78 I.EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board of Public Safety met in the Executive Session on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 8:32 a.m. with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members, Darryl Heller, Lee Ross, Al Kirsits, Pamela Claeys and Attorney Danielle Weiss. Assistant Chief Dan Skibbins and Attorney Kylie Connell (virtual) joined the meeting from 8:32 a.m. until 8:48 a.m. Chief Carl Buchanon and Attorney Adam Taylor joined the meeting from 8:41 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. The meeting was held in the Chief’s Conference Room, South Bend Police Department, 701 West Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams for the purposes specified in I.C.5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(A) to receive information concerning an individual’s alleged misconduct. The meeting ended at 9:15 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member _________________________________ Ross Lee, Member ______________________________ Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk I.REGULAR MEETINGThe Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:22 a.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller, Lee Ross, Al Kirsits and Pamela Claeys were present. Also, present were Assistant Police Chief Dan Skibbins, Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, and Attorneys Danielle Campbell Weiss, Adam Taylor, Kylie Connell, and Board Clerk Theresa Heffner. The meeting was held in the Auditorium, South Bend Police Department, 701 West Sample Street, 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 MEMBERSBoard President Dan Jones welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of theBoard Members. B.APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGSUpon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Pamela Claeys, and carried by roll call, the Boardapproved the Minutes of the November 15, 2023 regular meeting. C.ELECTION OF 2024 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY PRESIDENT Lee Ross nominated Dan Jones for the role of President. With no other nominations, a secondby Darryl Heller, and carried by a roll call with Dan Jones abstaining from the vote, the Boardelected Dan Jones as the 2024 President for the Board of Public Safety. D.POLICE DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 20, 2023 79 1. APPROVE HIRING OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICERS Matthew Hegedus- Stewart Delaney KniznerTerry MirelesKarl Thomas Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the hiring of the above Probationary Police Officers. In Chief Ruszkowski’s absence, Assistant Chief Skibbinsstated the above officers have met the requirements of the application process of the SBPolice Department. Assistant Chief Skibbins stated Officer Knizner graduated theNorthwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Friday, November 17, 2023, Officer Hegedus-Stewart was a sworn officer on the St. Joseph County Police Department from August 22, 2022 to November 16, 2023, Officer Mireles was a sworn officer on the St.Joseph County Police Department from August 22, 2023 to November 17, 2023, andOfficer Thomas was a sworn Officer on the St. Joseph County Police Department fromDecember 14, 2021 to November 16, 2023. Chief stated the above Officers effective date was December 20, 2023. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call,the Board approved the hiring of the above Probationary Police Officers. 2.SWEARING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICERS Captain Fulnecky gave a brief biography, highlighting their talents, achievements,education, and interests. City Clerk Dawn Jones administered the oath which was thenfollowed by the badge pinning. 3.APPROVE RE-HIRING OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER - KYLE BROWNFIELDChief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the re-hiring of OfficerKyle Brownfield. In Chief Ruszkowski’s absence, Assistant Chief Skibbins stated OfficerBrownfield resigned in good standing, from the SBPD on February 26, 2022 and has asked to return to the SBPD. Chief stated Kyle Brownfield would be re-hired as a Patrolman 2nd Class effective December 20, 2023, and upon completion of Veteran Officers Training,begin the duties of a Patrolman 1st Class which includes a one (1) year probationary period.He also noted that he would like the Board to approve even though he wouldn’t be receivinghis INPRS approval paperwork until later in the week. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Boardapproved the re-hiring of Officer Kyle Brownfield. 4.APPROVE PROMOTIONS TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASS Rico Butler Melissa HavensAndre Mathews Chief Ruszkowski submitted letters of recommendations for the above officers to be promoted to Patrolman 1st Class. In Chief Ruszkowski’s absence, Assistant Chief Skibbins stated the above officers have successfully met the requirements outlined in the workingagreement to become Patrolman 1st Class with the SBPD. Chief stated Officer Butlerseffective date is December 21, 2023, Officer Havens effective date was November 14, 2023with retro pay and Officer Mathews effective date was November 23, 2023 with retro pay. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call,The Board approved the Promotions to Patrolman 1st Class. 5.ACKNOWLEDGE COMMENDATIONS OF LIFE SAVING AWARD Chief Scott Ruskowski submitted letters of commendation for Officers Jeffrey Veal,Joseph Slabach and Devonte Spratt. In Chief Ruszkowski’s absence, Assistant ChiefSkibbins stated the officers were dispatched to Miami Street in reference to a stabbing. Allthree (3) Officers took immediate action and acted quickly and calmly while providingmedical aid that contributed to saving the victim. The Board congratulated the above DECEMBER 20, 2023 80 officers and thanked them for their service to the residents of South Bend. 6.APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT - JAMES WOLFFPolice Chief Ruszkowski submitted a Letter of Application and Declaration for Retirementfor Patrolman 1st Class James Wolff, PN 443. In Chief Ruszkowski’s absence, AssistantChief Skibbins stated Officer Wolff is retiring in good standing from the SBPD effective January 6, 2024, and will have been with the Department for thirty-one (31) years, three (3) months, and twenty-nine (29) days. Chief Ruszkowski thanked him for his many yearsof service with the SBPD and wished him success in his new endeavors. 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.APPROVE 2024 SPECIAL POLICE COMMISSION/DECOMMISSIONSIn a letter to the Board, Chief Ruszkowski recommended that the following Special PoliceCommissions be renewed for the year 2024. In Chief Ruszkowski’s absence, Assistant Chief Skibbins read through the following powers of each category, noting whether they include carrying of a weapon or any powers of arrest. SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT Volunteers in Policing (VIPS) Richard Cowper Patrick Leavell Garnett Keeys Steven Wieger Barbara Leavell It is my recommendation that the following South Bend Police Department personnel be commissioned as members of the South Bend Police Department Special Police Unit, but do not have the authority to be armed nor do they have powers of arrest: PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS It is also my recommendation that Special Police Commissions be issued or renewed for the following South Bend Police Department Records/Data Specialists. These Commissions do not include the powers of arrest nor the carrying of a weapon. Rebecca Best Antonio Salazar James Buchmann Marceline Singleton Christopher Labadie Iesha Tobar Alma Bueno Kyle Kytta Kim Davis Jo Loughlin Angela Davis Robbin Myers Madonna Fleenor Beverly Perry Jennifer Garrett Maria Scherer-Lutz Jeanette Hardman Tracy Wright Jennifer Jozwiak SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT It is my recommendation that the following be commissioned to carry a weapon while acting in the capacity of Arson Investigators. They have no powers of arrest: Tonia Nania John Szucs Barry Sebesta The commission is issued for the purpose of writing citations and otherwise enforcing Chapter 9, Fire Prevention, of the South Bend Municipal Code. The commission does not authorize the powers of arrest, nor the carrying of a weapon: DECEMBER 20, 2023 81 Chris Baker Mike Lagodney Carl Buchanon Robert Means Mike Damiano Andrew Myers Gerard Ellis Brandon Roark James Jones Todd Skwarcan Brian Koloszar Mike Szucs PARKING PROPERTIES This commission is issued for the on-street patrol parking enforcement personnel and does not include the carrying of a weapon, nor the powers of arrest: Kite Realty Group: Teagan Lawson LAZ Parking: Idowu (Harrison) Oluwabukola Christine Saboski Block by Block (DTSB) Don Abelanalp Jasmine Stewart Shanise Perkins Chris Talbot Rogers Smedley INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT It is my recommendation that Special Police Commissions be assigned to the following officers of Indiana University South Bend. These Commissions are issued for the purpose of issuing citations for parking violations where such violations have fines set by Ordinance and State Law. All of their officers are sworn and certified through the State of Indiana by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Training Board. These Commissions have the same authority of as one of our own sworn police officers in which they have the authority to carry a weapon and the powers of arrest: Jordan Felton Timothy McNeely Tyler Garber Glenn McQueen Edwin Garcia Aaliyah Porter Troy Gray Roman Robic Troy Hudgen Mark Walsh Kurt Matz This will empower the above listed individuals to enforce parking violations on the following streets adjacent to the campus: Mishawaka Ave. from Bellevue Street on the west to 21st Street on the East; Bellevue Street from Mishawaka Avenue on the north to Hildreth Street on the south; Hildreth Street from Bellevue Street on the west to the campus proper on the east; Esther Street from Mishawaka Avenue on the north to Hildreth Street on the south; Ruskin Street from Bellevue Street on the west to the campus proper on the east; 20th Street from Mishawaka Avenue on the north to Northside Boulevard on the south; Vine Street from 20th Street on the west to 21st Street on the east; and Northside Boulevard from 21st Street on the east to Memorial Park on the west. IVY TECH SOUTH BEND CAMPUS It is my recommendation that a Special Police Commission be assigned to the following security officer of Ivy Tech South Bend Campus. This Commission is issued for the purpose of issuing citations for parking violations where such violations have fines set by Ordinance and State Law. This officer is sworn and certified through the State of Indiana DECEMBER 20, 2023 82 by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Training Board. This Commission has the same authority as one of our own sworn police officers in which they have the authority to carry a weapon and the powers of arrest: James E. Clark Jr This will empower the above listed individual to enforce parking violations on the following streets adjacent to the campus: Main Campus: Michigan St. from Broadway St. north to Sample St. Sample St. east to Fellows. Fellows south to Broadway, including Dean Johnson Blvd. (which runs east and west inside this perimeter). Broadway St. west to Michigan. The property ONLY owned by Ivy Tech at 328 Michigan Street and the property owned by Ivy Tech at 250 Sample St. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT NEIGHBORHOODS DIVISION It is my recommendation that the following individuals be Commissioned for the Department of Code Enforcement. This Commission is issued for the purpose of writing citations for Ordinance violations where such violations have fines set by Superior Court Judges. This Commission will also empower the below-listed individuals to enforce the Snow Route and Residential Snow Emergencies and to tow vehicles found to be in violation of these Ordinances. This Commission also includes Animal Control officers who issue tickets for nuisance violations. This Commission does not authorize the powers of arrest nor the carrying or use of a weapon. DCI-Neighborhoods Enforcement Officers: Dora Gonzalez Chris Pemberton John Helak Tony Smith Cornelius Johnson Tim Watson Chyna McBride Kenisha Wells Michael McCann Jim Wood Michael McCann Parker Wright Ben Moreno Animal Welfare Officers: Olivia Botich Sara Kaszas Lindsey Cuellar April Michaels Jamie Ealy Liam Winkler Diana Hosteler Please note that any previous Special Police Commissions that were issued to anyone not listed in this letter, are now rescinded. The aforementioned police commissions are in effect until rescinded. All of the aforementioned individuals have met the Commission requirements of the South Bend Police Department. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and carried by a roll call, the Board approved the 2024 Special Police Commissions and Decommissions. 8.FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT NOVEMBER 2023Chief Scott Ruskowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for November2023. In Chief Ruszkowski’s absence, Assistant Chief Skibbins stated there was a ninepercent (9%) decrease in Part One Offenses. DECEMBER 20, 2023 83 E.FIRE DEPARTMENT 1.ACCEPT DONATIONChief Carl Buchanon submitted a letter informing the Board of a donation of $5,000 fromMike and Tina Thompson. Chief stated Tina approached their department eager to partnerwith us for needed equipment after making a decision to do something charitable for her community in memory of their son, Troy. Chief Buchanon stated the Emergency Medical Services Training Division immediately jumped at the opportunity to acquire some much-needed equipment and said these items will have a lasting and meaningful impact on ourtraining and are extremely appreciated. Chief Buchanon stated the department will be ableto update intubation props, tension pneumothorax simulators, intraosseous access simulators, obstetrical manikins, and inclusive IV access props representing different skin tones. Chief Buchanon stated individual firefighters accrue two-hundred and forty (240)hours of training each year and calls for medical service represent a great majority of theSBFD’s run volume. The Chief noted the need to keep training props current could not beunderstated, and these items will be used for years to come, and the Thompson family has our most sincere gratitude. The Chief asked the Board to recognize this generous gift from a generous South Bend family. President Jones thanked the Thompson family for their generous gift on behalf of theBoard. 2.APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICIES1000 – Recruitment and Selection1001 – Performance Evaluations1002 – Requests for Transfer 1003 – Position Descriptions 1004 – Classification Specifications1005 – Career Tracks1006 – Omitted, Under Review1007 – Educational Incentives DECEMBER 20, 2023 84 1008 – Tuition Reimbursement 1009 – Reporting for Duty 1010 – Conduct and Behavior 1011 – Personnel Complaints 1012 – Duty to Maintain Contact Information 1013 – Personnel Records 1014 – Commendations and Meritorious Service 1015 – Omitted, Under Review 1016 – Physical Fitness 1017 – Omitted, Under Review 1018 – Workplace Violence 1019 – Lactation Breaks 1020 – Smoking and Tobacco Use 1021 – Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Attorney Adam Taylor submitted the above Lexipol Polices for approval, and reminded the Board Members and the public that the above policies were submitted to the Board at the November 2023 Board of Public Safety Meeting. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits and followed by a roll call, the proposed changes for the above Lexipol Polices were approved. 3.RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 1023 – Uniform Regulations1024 – Badges1025 – Identification Cards1026 – Work-Related Illness and Injury Reporting 1027 – Release of HIPAA – Protected Information 1028 – Line-of-Duty Death1029 – Line-of-Duty Death and Serious Injury Notification1030 – Family Support Liaison1031 – Funerals 1032 – Military Leave 1033 – Driver’s License Requirements1034 – Nepotism and Conflicting Relationships1035 – Member Speech, Expresion, and Social Networking1036 – Omitted, Under Review 1037 – Omitted, Under Review 1038 – Omitted, Under Review1039 – Pregnancy Policy (previously approved)1040 – Omitted, Under Review1041 – Temporary Limited or Modified Duty Policy Attorney Adam Taylor submited the above Lexipol Policies for review by the Board andto be considered for approval at the next Board Meeting. Attorney Taylor did a summaryof each item above. 4.FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2023 Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for November 2023. DECEMBER 20, 2023 85 Ms. Claeys asked if the structure incidents involved abandoned houses. Chief Buchanon noted that they also include abandoned businesses. He added that people seeking shelter enter these homes and businesses and start a fire and sometimes leave the fire burning which then starts a larger fire. Mr. Ross asked Chief Buchanon if fire blankets work and if the SBFD had considered asking for donations, so they could be given out to community members. Chief Buchannon stated that Fire Blankets are beneficial, and they have had conversation about donations which will continue in the coming months. DECEMBER 20, 2023 86 E.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 thatthey would be allotted three (3) minutes to speak. F.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Al Kirstis, seconded by Darryl Heller, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 10:17a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member ______________________________ Lee Ross, Member Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk