09-25-17 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING September 25, 2017 Councilmember Oliver Davis asked Chief Rynearson to share his thoughts on coming up with the part-time officer program. Chief Rynearson responded, In conjunction with the Legal Department,just researching this and trying to dig down and see if it's feasible, if it's legal. Obviously, they're comfortable, that's why you have the ordinance in front of you. Chief Rynearson explained that though this measure intends to supplement manpower, the ordinance does not allow part-time officers to supervise full-time officers. The number of hours part-timers can work is capped. They would not work beats. They would strictly be used to accomplish tasks that tie up full-time, sworn officers. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none from the public wishing to speak in favor of this bill. Those from the public wishing to speak in opposition to this bill: Samuel Brown 222 East Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated he thinks that it would be a better idea to put money towards the funding of a larger police force with full-time officers, as he feels more comfortable with an officer completing any given task with the full training of a sworn-in officer behind them. Chief Ruszkowski returned to the podium for a rebuttal. Chief Ruszkowski stated, The part-time officers will have, while they're working,the exact same powers—arrest, citation, etc.—that any other active police officer that works eight(8) hours a day would have. There's no difference. Councilmember Davis asked, What will they call themselves? Chief Ruszkowski responded, A police officer. Councilmember Davis asked, They wouldn't call themselves a part-time police officer? Chief Ruszkowski responded,No. That's for budgeting and accounting purposes. They will start out with the same amount of training as the officer and will continue. Chief Rynearson stated, The other point that was brought up was the funding. Our situation—it's not really funding, but it's finding and training applicants to get them up to speed to become full- time officers. So, we struggle with that just like every police department in the country, right now. Chief Ruszkowski stated, I think we're forgetting that we're not hiring the security monitor. These are retired police officers that have been in South Bend for twenty (20) or more years. So, that is the advantage that we have to go with the knowledge and experience they already had this is to continue with that training and bring that expertise maybe not for eight(8)hours but for four(4) hours—or whatever the increment is—to be able to pass that important, viable information to our newer officers. Councilmember Davis stated, These are not brand new people coming into the profession, or this is their first time job. Chief Ruszkowski responded, Exactly. Our goal is: South Bend police, retired officers. Councilmember Jo M. Broden made a motion to send Bill No. 56-17 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 57-17 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH THE SOUTH BEND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AND THE COUNTY OF ST. JOSEPH TO 18