12-10-12 Selection of South Bend's Next Chief of Police

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�: �; s^ixae .n 9 NEWS RELEASE Date: December 10, 2012 3:30 p.m. From: Oliver J. Davis Council Vice-President 876-6938 Karen L. White Committee of Whole Chairperson 235-5985 Derek D. Dieter Council President 532-2200 "Selection of South Bend's Next Chief of Police" One of the most important duties of the Mayors of all Indiana second class cities, is to select individuals who would serve in leadership positions who would lead each of the City's executive departments. Pursuant to local ordinance the nine (9) executive departments are "...established to perform administrative functions required to fulfill the needs of the City's citizens". [Emphasis added; SSMC § 2-13] Our local ordinance further provides that a department head is charged with: • Establishing, abolishing or consolidating offices, divisions and bureaus within a department to "permit the proper and efficient operation of that department" • Supervising and coordinating offices,divisions and bureaus In light of these governing City Code provisions and the fact that so many citizens have asked us about the process, we are again asking Mayor Pete for more detailed information about the ongoing search for a Chief of Police. Since the August Health and Public Safety Committee when individuals from the Strategic Policy Partnership, LLC were introduced, several verbal and written inquiries were made to the Mayor, with some of the more recent being a letter dated November 8`h making the following inquiries: How many applications were received? How many applications were received from current SBPD sworn members? How many applications were from out of state? Mayor Pete responded on November 130' noting in part that he "...would feel uncomfortable giving you the details you are requesting". Another letter was sent on November 14m in response to a South Bend Tribune article entitled "Interim Chief Wears 3 Hats", which triggered even more questions from the public. In another attempt to respond with facts, we ask Mayor Pete to share what he can on: Was there a "telephone interview committee" and if so, who served on it? Who served on the "oral interview committee"? Did any South Bend residents serve on either of these committees? Why were no Council Members asked to serve on either of these informal committees? We believe that such information is needed and would be consistent with carrying out the Council Mission Statement"to make certain that our City Government is always responsive to the needs of our residents & that the betterment of South Bend is always our highest priority".