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Home My WebLink About2026-08-04 Merit Board Meeting MinutesSeptember 1, 2026 I.EXECUTIVE SESSION The Merit Board met in Executive Session on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, at 11:04 a.m. with Board members Eugene Eyster, Daniel Jones, Pam Claeys, and Board Interim Attorney Danielle Campbell Weiss. Also in attendance were Chief Ruszkowski, Patrol Division Chief Tomar Thomas,Assistant Chief Dan Skibins, Assistant City Attorney Kristen Kocsis, and Captain Kelly Waite.The meeting was held at the South Bend Police Department, Comstat Room, 701 W. Sample Street,South Bend, IN for purposes specified in IC 5-14-1.4-6.1(b)(6)(A) to receive information concerning alleged misconduct over whom the Board has jurisdiction, and IC 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(19) to havecommunications with an attorney that are subject to the attorney-client privilege. No subject matterwas discussed during the executive session other than the subject matter specified in the publicnotice. The Meeting was adjourned at 11:23 a.m. POLICE MERIT BOARD Pamela Claeys, Vice President Daniel Jones, Member ATTEST: Crystal Phillips, Board Clerk II.REGULAR MEETINGThe Police Merit Board met at 11:31 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, with Board President EugeneEyster, Vice President Pam Claeys, and Board Member Dan Jones. Also, Board Interim Attorney Danielle Campbell Weiss, Assistant Attorney Kristen Kocsis, Assistant City Attorney Kylie ConnellVia Teams, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Chief Dan Skibins, Division Chief Tim Lancaster,Division Chief Tomar Thomas, Captain Kelly Waite, Captain Maranda Baker, Board Clerk CrystalPhillips, several other South Bend Police Department personnel, and members of the public were present. The meeting was held at SBPD, Auditorium, 701 W. Sample Street, South Bend, IN and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/SBPD-Merit-Board-2026 Ray Owens, Member CALL TO ORDER President Eugene Eyster called the meeting to order at 11:31 a.m. A.ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS President Eugene Eyster confirmed the presence of board members, Vice President Pam Claeys, and Board Member Dan Jones. B.APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Upon a motion made by Pam Claeys, seconded by Dan Jones, the Board unanimously approved the minutes for the Regular Meeting of the Board held on July 7, 2026. C.APPROVE PROMOTION OF PROBATIONARY SERGEANT 1.Chief Ruszkowski gave Captain Baker the floor to present a brief biography of service of Andrew Ream. Assistant Chief Skibins gave a breakdown of the process of training and steps to become a Sergeant. President Eugene Eyster called for a motion. Upon a motion by Dan Jones, seconded by Pam Claeys, the Board approved the promotion of Officer Andrew Ream to probationary Sergeant 2nd Detail.. Officer Andrew Ream was pinned by his Fiancée. 2.Chief Ruszkowski proceeded to give Captain Kelly Waite the floor to present the biography of Joseph Carey. President Eugene Eyster called for a motion. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Dan Jones, the Board approved the promotion of Joseph Carey to Sergeant. Officer Joseph Carey was pinned by Patrol Chief Thomas. D.COMMENDATIONS Chief Ruszkowski provided a summary of each commendation recipient. COMMENDATIONS - June Personnel file Only: Officer Ryan Bennington Online submission for his professionalism, compassion & care when a person was dealing with a medical emergency. Officer Bennington made sure her personal items and vehicle were secure while she was transported to the hospital. Officer Jalen Lee Officer Lee was alerted to a party at an Airbnb. Instead of just speaking with the guests and asking them to be respectful, he checked the official Airbnb website and confirmed the gathering violated the platform's rules. Because short-term rentals have been a major talking point in the community, Lee’s extra effort ensured a safer, quieter neighborhood Officer Brock Staton Officer Brock played a key role in the proactive e-bike patrols around downtown. His efforts since 6/8/26 have led to 8 illegal drug arrests, four trespassing and multiple warrant arrests. The quality-of-life concerns and the strengthened community partnership have increased a safer community. Officer Matthew Mason Officer Mason diligence on checking on a burglary alarm for a resident who was sleeping when her alarm went off. She was very grateful for his actions on what ended up being the wind blowing the door open. Officer Jeffery Diggins Officer Jeremy Siade Officer Aaron Omanson Officer Scott Stone A team effort for what could have been a gun violence homicide. The efforts of the officers conducting interviews, documenting the scene and processing critical evidence that located the shooters point of origin by reconstructed the projectiles trajectory. The details provided to the Violent Crimes Unit lead to identifying the suspect and recovering the firearm used. Letter Home & Personnel File Officer Jalen Lee Officer Lees’ ability to identify a homicide suspect that he recognized during his time as a School Resource Officer as well as mentorship programs. Lee’s identification proved instrumental for the detectives to locate and arrest the suspect in a swift manner. This familiarity with our community contributed to an arrest in this homicide. Detective Brett Airy Detective Philip Simms Detectives Airy and Simms' coordinated efforts led to the identification and apprehension of the suspect in a homicide in under 16 hours. Detectives demonstrated a high level of professionalism and teamwork with the Real Time Crime Center and Patrol Division. Detective Georgia Wells Detective Wells took many different avenues to locate and detain a juvenile suspect who stole a MacBook and drew a firearm on a victim trying to sell the items on Facebook. Detective Wells actions to identify and recover the stolen Apple MacBook with the help of SRO Mary Jane Bueno led to the swift detention of the suspect and a removal of a firearm from the streets. Officer Iman White Officer White's ability to de-escalate a high stress crisis with a victim suffering a medical episode. White’s immediate communication skills to guide and help the victim gain his composure enough to take his prescribed medication demonstrates exceptional skills and patience dealing with mental crisis. Strategic Focus Unit The Strategic Focus Unit demonstrated exceptional teamwork and proactive policing over a span of 3 days. Flexing their hours as a unit to coordinate numerous arrests, and recover multiple firearms and narcotics. The use of e-bike patrols and downtown enforcement operations also secured multiple individuals with warrants. Their professionalism and dedication reflect our efforts to serve our community. Officer Kristin Stantz Kristin Stantz is recognized for her exceptional leadership and investigative skills during a complex shooting investigation. Her initiative, coordination, and attention to detail led to the recovery of critical evidence including the firearm and casings and multiple ammunition and accessories, plus resulted on the successful apprehension of the suspect. Detective Angelica Glaspie Detective Glaspie was assigned a stabbing investigation involving a victim who was later released from the hospital. After receiving the case, she was notified that the suspect had been located, apprehended, and was ready to be interviewed. Without hesitation, Detective Glaspie came in on her day off to conduct the interview. Through her exceptional interview skills, she built rapport with the suspect and was able to break through his defense and secured a confession. Her unwavering professionalism, composure, and dedication is a true reflection of her work ethic. Life saving Award Sergeant Anthony Dawson Lieutenant Kyle Drury For outstanding life-saving actions by Sergeant Anthony Dawson and Lieutenant Kyle Drury. They responded to an unresponsive juvenile and immediately began CPR. Their swift, skilled, and persistent efforts in performing CPR for 8 minutes until medical personnel arrived, playing a critical role in the child’s survival. These actions and persistence turned an initially grim call into a lifesaving one. E.REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF DISCIPLINE 1.Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of discipline for Officer Joseph Slabach. Officer Joseph Slabach requested a review of the decision. President Eugene Eyster spoke on the process and the authority of the Merit Board to review the discipline in these situations. President Eugene Eyster called for a motion. Dan Jones moved to uphold the Chief’s disciplinary decision, which was seconded by Pam Claeys. The majority voted in favor of upholding the Chief’s disciplinary decision. F.PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR 1.Citizen Vernardo Malone commented on the June 16th officer-involved shooting. Citizen Vernardo Malone also commented on an interaction with a patrol officer. President Eugene Eyster thanked Vernardo Malone for his words. 2.Citizen Bernice Clark commented on mental health, statistics, and her role in its advocacy. President Eugene Eyster thanked Bernice Clark for her efforts. 3.Citizen Cherrie Weekly addressed the Board on the impact of the loss of her son in the June 16th officer-involved shooting. 4.Citizen Vikki Wade addressed the Board on her nephew’s struggle with mental health and requested that more efforts be made to improve mental health. G. 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 12:10pm. ATTEST: ___________________________ Crystal Phillips, Board Clerk POLICE MERIT BOARD Pamela Claeys, Vice President Daniel Jones, Member Ray Owens, Member