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Home My WebLink About2026 01-21 BPS Meeting Minutes - FinalJANUARY 21, 2026 1 I.REGULAR MEETING The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 with Board President Dan Jones, and Board Members Al Kirsits, and Pamela Claeys were present. Also, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Fire Chief Skwarcan, and Attorneys Tom Panowicz, Adam Taylor, Kylie Connell and Board Clerk Hillary Horvath were in attendance. The meeting was held on the Council Chambers 3rd Floor, South Bend City Hall Bldg., 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2025-2026-BPS Attorney Panowicz 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 Panowicz 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 Pam Claeys and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of December 17, 2025 regular meeting. C.POLICE DEPARTMENT 1.ACKNOWLEGDE YEARS OF SERVICE Phillip Herman Paul Daley David Daley David Young Robert Wise Chief Ruszkowski stated the above officers have retired from SBPD and have served over twenty (20) years of service each. Chief Ruszkowski asked the Board to join him, wishing them success in their endeavors, along with thanking them for their many years of service with the SBPD. 2.ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COMMENDATIONS LIFESAVING AWARDS Alex Paczesny Jeremiah Hooks Kyle Brownfield Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted letters for the above officers. Chief Ruskowski stated Officer Alex Paczesny, Jeremiah Hooks, and Kyle Brownfields quick actions and life saving measures saved an individual’s life. Chief Ruskowski commended their efforts. The Board also commended the officers’ actions and stated they would be receiving commendation coins. 3.RECEIVE QUARTERLY PUBLIC SAFTEY UPDATE Chief Ruszkowski submitted a PowerPoint of the quarterly public safety update. 4.FILE 4TH QUARTER REPORT ON SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the 4th Quarter Report for Specialized Schools for October, November, and December 2025 which included specialized training and travel expenses with a total of $15,333.24. JANUARY 21, 2026 2 5. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2025 Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the December 2025 Monthly Statistical Report and stated there was an 8% decrease in Part One crimes. Ms. Pam commented that there was a 9% decrease in Rape. JANUARY 21, 2026 3 D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. ACKNOWLEDGE YEARS OF SERVICE Robert Means James Jones Michael Quiroz Edward Palicki Assistant Chief Todd Skwarcan filled in for Chief Carl Buchanon. Chief Carl Buchanon submitted certificates of acknowledgement of years of service for the above firefighters. Assistant Chief Skwarcan asked that the Board join him in appreciation and gratitude to Firefighter Robert Means, James Jones, Michael Quiroz, and Edward Palicki for their dedication and commitment to the SBFD, and the citizens of the City of South Bend and wished them the best in his well-deserved Retirement, with many remaining years of good health to spend with their families. The Board thanked the firefighters for their service and stated they would be receiving commendation coins. 2. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICY 313 – Emergency Response Information System 803 – Medical Record Security and Privacy 1000- Recruitment and Selection 1006 – Fire Officer Development 1015 – Wellness Program 1017 - Critical Incident Street Debriefing 1028 – Line of Duty Death 1200 – South Bend Fire Department Merit Commission Attorney Taylor stated the above policies 313 and 803 were being requested for approval due to changes and updates. Policies were implemented on January 1st, 2026. For the following policies 1006, 1015, 1017, 1028 are established and are only being amended. While 1200 is a new policy, it just recognizes that there is a Merit Commission Formalizing that there is a policy that says the fire department must abide by the Merit Commission. Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pamela Claeys and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Lexipol Polices 313, 803, 1000, 1006, 1015, 1017, 1028, and 1200. 3. FILE 4TH QUARTER TRAVEL & TRAINING REPORT Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the 4th Quarter Report for Specialized Schools for October, November, and December 2025, Assistant Chief stated this includes specialized training and travel expenses with a total of $14,302. JANUARY 21, 2026 4 4. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR DECEMEBER 2025 Assistant Chief Skwarcan presented the monthly statistical analysis report for December 2025. JANUARY 21, 2026 5 E.PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Attorney Panowicz reminded the public to use the hand-raising function of Microsoft Teams to indicate their desire to speak during Privilege of the Floor. He reminded attendees that they 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 Kirsits, seconded by Pamela Claeys, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 10:55a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President _________________________________ Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Hillary Horvath, Clerk