09-09-13 Common Council Meeting Mintues

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 COMMENTS FROM GREG BROWN REGARDING CHIEF TEACHMAN Rev. Greg Brown, 1238 Diamond Street, South Bend, Indiana, asked if the Council received a copy of the findings in the investigation of Chief Teachman from the State Police? He also asked if this information is public record so a copy can be obtained for the public to review? He asked if the public will be informed on the findings, and also on the actions taken if any by the Board of Public Safety. He stated that the citizens have a right to know when it comes to these types of issues with the Chief. COMMENTS FROM JESSE DAVIS REGARDING DOUBLE BILLING SEWER INSURANCE PROGRAM Jesse Davis, P. O. Box 10205 South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is checking back with the council on the double billing case the City Legal Department was looking into for the costumers that were billed for work that was also billed to and paid for by the city under the sewer insurance program. He stated that it has been several months since this was brought up to the Police and Legal Department. He stated that he would like to Council to check the status of this issue so the customers can get some answers on this issue. COMMENTS FROM HALTON WEST REGARDING A HOME AT 247 SHERIDAN Halton West, 746 Kaley Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated the home at 247 Sheridan has been vacant for approximately 5 years. It had a fire and has been boarded up. He stated that the home was put on the demolition list. Mr. West stated that he would like to rebuild it and put it back on the tax roll. COMMENTS FROM THEO ROBERTS REGARDING COMPLAINTS AGAINST EMPLOYEES Hello Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council, I want to be brief here, you all know me as Officer Robert, but I’m not here speaking as Officer Robert , I’m here as a citizen and tax payer of this community. What I am here to speak about, basically, I want to talk to you guys about things that I would like you to be aware of that’s going on for people of the South Bend Police Department as well as other employees of the City. I would like you guys to look into some things that I am going to address with you. The first thing I want to address with you is that the City I mean State of South Bend mandates that all officers have to receive some type of training before we can become officers. That includes appointed officials. It came to my knowledge that there may have been for former Chief Hurley he was not recertified as a Police Chief. If that’s the case then his duties in that capacity are null and void. So my question to you is that something that you guys can look into see if that is legitimate or not, to see if he was actually re- certified as a Police Chief. Because we all have to do that based upon the State mandates of Indiana. #2. South Bend Police Department has an Internal Affairs and we have over 250 officers, that unit is primarily overseen by one officer. Ok, one officer Lt. Ross. We have 250 officers, so my question to you who investigates the investigator? In the past, I filed a formal complaint against Lt. Ross for misconduct, nothing was done. Also, I am aware that there has also been another filing of misconduct against Lt. Ross, who is investigating him? So my question is there seems to be a lack of administrative accountability as it relates (1 minute left) to the Internal Affairs Department. I ask that you guys investigate that accountability. We have one officer investigating 250 officers, who is investigating the officer? My third point is this: The City of South Bend has hundreds and hundreds of employees, there seem to be a culture of unfairness ok between those that are considered lower level employees and those that are appointed or are considered higher ranking employees. In the past I have filed complaints, formal complaints against appointed officials, I filed those complaints, and nothing was done with my complaints against those appointed officials. Also when there have been complaints against higher ranking supervisors they tend to go unnoticed. So there is a culture that, as a lower level employee, there are things (time up), so I ask you guys to investigate that, I have that on my sheet (holds up paper) and I also have some information, documents that if you guys could copy. Thank You. 18