HomeMy WebLinkAboutMerit Board System City of South Bend
Legal Department
K. Connell
Merit Board Svstem
November 2024
City of South Bend
Indiana
i 1
- H B 1016 enacted into law May 4, 2024.
- If the State merit system Chapter 3. 5 is not
rejected, a merit system under 3.5 will be
established
- If a merit system is already established, then the
State merit system does not apply
p� City of South Bend
Indiana
Options:
State Model or South Bend Model
City of South Bend
Indiana
Excellence, accountability, innovation , inclusion ,
and empowerment of the community collaboration
and department efforts thus far
High standard of employment
City of South Send
Indiana
Establishment of Police Merit System
• I .C. § 36- 1 -4- 14
"A unit may hire and discharge employees and
establish a system of employment for any class of
employees based on merit and qualification ."
City of South Bend
Indiana
Establishment of Police Merit System
• I .C. § 36-8-3.5 - 1
"This chapter [chapter 3.5] does not affect merit
systems established : ( 1) by ordinance under I .C. §
36- 1 -4- 14, except as provided by subsection (f)
and section 19.3 of this chapter"
City of South Bend
Indiana
Differences Between State, Proposed Merit, and BPS
• • - Board of Public Safety
Board Two- mayor appointments different Two- elected by active members Five- Mayor
political parties of department appointments
Two- different political parties elected by Two- mayor appointments
active members of department One- Common Council
One- common council appointment
Board Member Legal resident for 3 years Good moral character and not an City resident
requirements Good moral character active member
21 years of age
Not an active member
Not more than two members maybe
retired department members
Term limit 4 year term but serves at pleasure of 5 year term, staggering to begin, None
appointing authority but serves at pleasure of
appointing authority
City of South Send
Indiana
Differences Between State, Proposed Merit, and BPS
Board of Public Safety
Selection process of Board controlled Department controlled Department controlled
officer
Probationary period 1 year from swearing in 1 year after FTO complete 1 year from swearing in
Promotion Process Board controlled Department controlled Department controlled
Ranking system Merit promotional process
currently established by the
FOP and PD
Performance Evaluations Required Department controlled Department controlled
Board establishes rules
City of South Bend
Indiana
Differences Between State, Proposed Merit, and BPS
Board of Public Safety
Discipline Suspension, demotion, or 5+ goes to board, 5 days and under 5+ goes to board, 5 days and under
dismissal. suspension Chief controls. suspension Chief controls.
5+ goes to board, 5 days and Demotion, dismissal, reprimand, Demotion, dismissal, reprimand,
under suspension Chief controls. forfeiture, suspension. forfeiture, suspension.
Hearing procedures similar. Hearing procedures similar. Hearing procedures similar.
Follow Board of Public Safety
procedures.
City of South Bend
Indiana
Proposed Does N1 • '
• CPRB is NOT affected
• BPS will still exist but may combine with BPW
• Policies • SROS • Special police commissions
• Administrative resolutions (setting holiday schedule, trick-or-treat
hours, etc.)
• Statistics and reports (crime statistics, training reports, etc.)
• Receipt of Board of Public Safety challenge coins
• Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements
• All other matters and property
City of South Bend
Indiana
Proposed Merit System
• Selection- department determined procedures- rigorous
• Appointment (swearing in)- Merit Board
• Promotion- Department and FOP establish process
• Performance evaluations- only Chief may establish
• Discipline- 5+ must be approved by the Merit Board, 5 and
under Chief only notifies Merit Board, hearing procedures to
follow BPS
• Retirements and resignations- Merit Board
City of South Send
Indiana
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• Greenfield, IN -25,000 population, 44 officers
• Brownsburg, IN -32,000 population, 58 budgeted officers
• Caramel, IN - 102,000 population, 143 officers- Merit Board
very similar to the one proposed
• Fort Wayne, IN -269,900 population, 480 officers, rating and
promotion only
• Indianapolis Metro PD, IN, -879,000, 1,700 officers, modified
State Model
City of South Bend
Indiana