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Home My WebLink About2026 06-17 BPS Meeting Minutes - Final JUNE 17, 2026 25 I. REGULAR MEETING The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:16 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, with Board President Charles King III, and Board Members Al Kirsits, and Pamela Claeys, were present. Also, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, and Attorneys Danielle Weiss, and Kylie Connell and Acting Board Clerk Candy Bermudez 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 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 Charles King III 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 May 20, 2026, regular meeting. C. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. ACKNOWLEGDE YEARS OF SERVICE SERGEANT KEVIN GIBBONS Assistant Chief Dan Skibins stated Sergeant Gibbons was hired into the SBPD on July 2, 1986, and will retire on July 7, 2026. Chief noted that Sergeant Gibbons served over forty (40) years, and 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. The Board thanked him for his many years of service and wished him well. 2. APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 01-2026 APPOINTING AN AGENT/CHIEF NEGOTIATOR TO REPRESENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE UPCOMING POLICE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATIONS Attorney Kylie Connell submitted the below resolution for approval. RESOLUTION NO. 01 - 2026 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPOINTINGAN AGENT/CHIEF NEGOTIATOR TO REPRESENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE UPCOMING POLICE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATIONS WHEREAS, the Board of Public Safety is the administrator of the Police Department and has the “exclusive control over all matters and property relating” to it and the authority to adopt the rules governing the Police Department pursuant to Indiana Code §36-8-3-2; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Indiana Code § 36-8-3-3(d), the Common Council has until November 1, 2026, the exclusive authority to fix by ordinance the annual compensation for all members of the South Bend Police Department; and WHEREAS, the 2026 Working Agreement between the City of South Bend and the Fraternal Order of Police South Bend Lodge No. 36 will expire on December JUNE 17, 2026 26 31, 2026; and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Safety desires to appoint a Chief Negotiator who would appoint his or her own advisory City Negotiating Team to represent it and to provide updates during executive sessions called for the purpose of discussing strategy with regard to collective bargaining pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.l(b)(2)(A); and WHEREAS, the Advisory City Negotiating Team shall not be considered a “governing body” or “public agency” under Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-2; and WHEREAS, the City of South Bend Administration and the Board of Public Safety believe that this Resolution is in the best interest of promoting positive and harmonious labor negotiations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Public Safety of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The Board of Public Safety of the City of South Bend, Indiana hereby appoints the Corporation Counsel for the City of South Bend, or his/her designee, as its Agent for the upcoming labor negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police South Bend Lodge No. 36. The Corporation Counsel or his/her designee shall be the City's Chief Spokesperson and Chief Negotiator concerning all matters related to the working conditions and other matters addressed in the Working Agreement except the annual compensation of the police officers. Section II. Ever respectful of the Common Council's legitimate interest with respect to annual compensation, Corporation Counsel or his/her designee shall attempt to coordinate with the South Bend Common Council’s designated Agent concerning strategy, negotiation times, scheduling of executive sessions, advisory team membership, and other matters pertaining to negotiations. Section III. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from this date until a Working Agreement is signed by this Board. Adopted this 17th day of June, 2026. s/Charles King III, President s/Alfred Kirsits, Member s/Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: s/Candy Bermudez/Acting Clerk Upon a motion by Pam Claeys seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the Board approved the above resolution. 3. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR MAY 2026 Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the May 2026 Monthly Statistical Report. Assistant Chief Dan Skibins stated through the first five months of the year (January–May), Part I crimes decreased by 6% overall. While most crime categories showed reductions, homicides, residential burglaries, and non-residential burglaries increased. Burglaries rose during the first few months of the year but have been trending downward recently. Member Pam Claeys asked if they had any ideas why the homicides were so high. Assistant Chief noted the increase in homicides appears to be related to a spike in shootings during the first two months of the year, including aggravated assault shooting incidents. However, shooting numbers have also JUNE 17, 2026 27 declined over the past two months. D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICY- 617- ADVANCED EMT CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SWORN MEMEBRS Attorney Kylie Connell submitted the above Lexipol policy for approval, she noted that policy 617 formalizes and clarifies existing requirements for firefighters to obtain and maintain their Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification. Although the policy appears entirely new in the system because it was recently added to Lexipol, it is largely an existing policy with only minor updates. Fire Chief Carl Buchanon stated the revisions establish clear timelines for achieving certification, outline notification requirements following each exam attempt, and specify deadlines for submitting certification materials to the state board. The policy also reinforces expectations for firefighters to make timely progress through the certification process while providing a structured coaching and mentoring approach to support their success. Chief noted the department leadership emphasized that the intent is to help employees meet certification requirements, ensure accountability, and avoid delays or repeated extension requests. JUNE 17, 2026 28 Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Lexipol Policy 617. 2. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR MAY 2026 Chief Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for May 2026. Chief Buchanon stated SBFD responded to 2,013 incidents in May 2026, bringing the year-to-date total to 10,142 incidents through the first six months of the year, reflecting a continued increase in service demand. Chief emphasized its role as an all-hazards emergency response agency, responding to a wide variety of fire, EMS, and public assistance calls. Community safety initiatives also remained a focus, with 66 smoke alarms and 20 carbon monoxide detectors installed during May. Fire investigators completed 15 investigations, while inspectors conducted 179 inspections and 127 re-inspections. Chief also talked about Community risk reduction and public education efforts continued to expand through outreach to schools, daycares, and other community groups. The monthly station activity report provided incident totals by station, and staff are working to enhance future reports to include a breakdown of call types by station. Pam Claeys asked what is included in the other category. Chief stated other category includes incidents that do not fit standard classifications such as fires, alarms, or EMS calls. Chief stated some examples may include gas leak responses, storm-related drainage issues, or unique rescue situations. Because the department’s new incident-tracking software does not always provide specific categories for every type of call, some incidents must be grouped under “Other” when a more detailed classification is unavailable. JUNE 17, 2026 29 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 that they would be allotted three (3) minutes to speak. Pam Claeys commended the Fire Department for its effective response to the Lafayette building fire, noting the absence of injuries and the professionalism displayed during the incident. Chief Buchanon credited the successful outcome to the collaborative efforts of neighboring fire departments, the Police Department, off-duty personnel who responded to assist, and the firefighters on scene. The Chief emphasized the strong mutual-aid partnerships with surrounding communities and praised department personnel for their teamwork and performance. While some responders experienced minor heat-related fatigue due to the physical demands of firefighting, no serious injuries occurred. F.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pam Claeys and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 9:36 a.m. JUNE 17, 2026 30 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY ______________________________ Charles King III, President ______________________________ Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Candy Bermudez, Acting Board Clerk