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Home My WebLink About2025-06-02 Police Merit Board Meeting MinutesJune 2, 2026 I. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Merit Board met in Executive Session on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11:05 a.m. with Board members Daniel Jones, Pam Claeys, Ray Owens, Eugene Eyster and Board Interim Attorney Danielle Campbell Weiss . Also, in attendance Chief Ruszkowski Assistant City Attorney Kylie Connell, Officer Finn, and his attorney Elizabeth Bemis. The meeting was held at SBPD, Comstat Room, 701 W. Sample Street, South Bend, IN for purposes as specified in IC 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(a) to receive information concerning alleged misconduct over whom the Board has jurisdiction, and 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(19) to have communications with an attorney that are subject to the attorney client privilege. The meeting was adjourned at 11:34 am POLICE MERIT BOARD _____________________________ Eugene Eyster , President _____________________________ Pamela Claeys, Vice President _____________________________ Daniel Jones _____________________________ Ray Owens ATTEST: ___________________________ Crystal Phillips, Board Clerk II. REGULAR MEETING The Police Merit Board met at 11:39 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 with Board President Dan Jones, Vice President Pam Claeys, Board Members Gene Eyster, and Ray Owens present. Also, Board Interim Attorney Danielle Campbell Weiss, Assistant City Attorney Kylie Connell, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Police Chief Dan Skibins, Division Chief Tim Lancaster, Division Chief Joseph Leszczynski, Captain Tomar Thomas, and Board Clerk Sherri Wildes were present. The meeting was held at SBPD, Comstat Room, 701 W. Sample Street, South Bend, June 2, 2026 Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2026-SBPD- Merit-Board READING OF THE AGENDA Interim Attorney Danielle Campbell Weiss read the agenda and reminded attendees and those online to hold comments until the Privilege of the Floor. After roll call will move to nomination and elect new board president. Turned over to the current President Dan Jones. A. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS President Dan Jones confirmed the presence of board members President Dan Jones, Vice President Pam Claeys, Board Members Gene Eyster, and Ray Owens. B. NOMINATE AND ELECT NEW PRESIDENT Dan Jones nominated Eugene Eyster for the president position. Upon a motion made by Dan Jones and seconded by Pam Claeys, and carried by roll call, Eugene (Gene) Eyster became new president and took over the meeting. C. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Upon a motion made by Pam Claeys, seconded by Ray Owens, and carried by roll call, the minutes for the Regular Meeting of the Board held on May 12, 2026 were approved. D. APPROVE PROMOTION TO PERMANENT LIEUTENANT a. Lieutenant Brandon Schmidt Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the above Special Assignment Lieutenant be promoted permanently to the rank of Lieutenant of SFU. Upon a motion by Gene Eyster, seconded by Pam Claeys and followed by a roll call, the Board Approved the promotion. E. COMMENDATIONS Chief Ruszkowski provided a summary of each commendation recipient. 1. Personnel File Only Officer Aaron Brick Officer Jacob Hasbrook Josie Herman Online submission for his professionalism, compassion & care when a family found a deceased cousin Easter Sunday, when they went to pick her up. Officer Brick remained available until the body was removed and funeral home contacted. He decided to deploy the drone on a call where the suspect fled his vehicle. He was able locate the suspect thru heat image and thermal lens sharing that information with other officers which led to the apprehension of the fleeing suspect. After a shooting, crime analyst was contacted by DB for assistance in identifying possible suspects. Josie used several recognition tools, and manual research. Through her extensive skills, she was able to locate the vehicle and suspect. June 2, 2026 2. Letter Home & Personnel File Officer Dieter Ruszkowski Officer Marshall Onnink Detective Brett Airy Detective Stephanie Northcutt F. RECOMMENDED DISCIPLIANRY ACTION a. Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter recommending Officer Brian Meador be relieved of duty/suspended 30 days without pay and no take home vehicle for 45 days. Officer Meador has Upon a motion made by Pam Claeys seconded by Ray Owens, and carried by roll call, Officer Brian Meador will receive the disciplinary action as presented. b. Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter recommending Officer Zachary Mullins be relieved of duty/suspended 30 days without pay, and removal from being a School Resource Officer. Officer Mullins discretion. Upon a motion made by Pam Claeys seconded by Ray Owens, and carried by roll call, Officer Brian Meador will receive the disciplinary action as presented. G. APPROVE OFFICERS PAY STATUS a. Officer David Finn Upon a motion by Gene Eyster to backpay Officer Finn $121,165.00 based on no judicial verdict as far as improper actions, seconded by Dan Jones, Pam Claeys abstained from the vote, and followed by a roll call, the Board Approved Officer Finn backpay. H. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Interim Attorney Danielle Campbell Weiss reminded the public to use the hand-raising function of Microsoft Teams to indicate their desire to speak during Privilege of the Floor. There were no individuals online or in person wishing to speak. The timely response to a ShotSpotter alert, and diligent pursuit, led to the apprehension of a fleeing suspect. In addition, collected & preserved valuable evidence which enabled the suspect to be charged Proved to be a valuable asset to DB. He works domestic violence cases in addition picks up major crimes cases when assistance is needed. Most recently coordinated efforts with an out-of-state agency, residential search warrants all the way to suspect detention. On-call detectives for a violent crime/shooting. Few witness were willing to speak with police. You started with the video evidence and quickly added other resources, cameras, and technology. Ultimately you located the suspect vehicle and suspect in Illinois. Countless hours were spent digging into all the evidence and trips to neighboring state to bring justice for the victim. Rapid arrest. June 2, 2026 I. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon the motion by Dan Jones, seconded by Pam Claeys, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 am. POLICE MERIT BOARD _____________________________ Daniel Jones, President _____________________________ Pamela Claeys, Vice President _____________________________ Brantley Taylor _____________________________ Eugene Eyster _____________________________ Ray Owens ATTEST: ___________________________ Sherri Wildes, Board Clerk