Board of Police Commissioners

BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT ti90 * Joseph A. Grimes Office: ( 317) 852- 1109 N* P; r_- 5 Chief of Police Fax: ( 317) 858- 2023 BROWNSBURG POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES These are the Minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of the Brownsburg Police Commission held at the Brownsburg Town Hall on September 8, 2020 at 6: 00PM. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ray Kotarski, Allan Bolante, Dennis Dawes, Terry Smith and Paul Whalen ALSO PRESENT: Chief Joseph Grimes, Major Andy Watts, Major Bryan Fultz, Attorney Jayson Marksberry and Secretary Kellie Cummins Police Commissioner Paul Whalen gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll Call was conducted and a quorum was formed. Ray Kotarski requested approval of the agenda for Police Commission meeting dated September 8, 2020. Paul Whalen made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. Terry Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried 5- 0. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the minutes from the August 11, 2020 Police Commission meeting. Paul Whalen made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Dennis Dawes seconded the motion. Motion carried 5- 0. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the Expense Report dated September 1, 2020. Dennis Dawes made a motion to approve the report as presented. Allan Bolante seconded the motion. Motion carried 5- 0. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Terry Smith 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Ray Kotarski Brownsburg, IN 46112 Dennis Dawes www.brownsburgpolice. org Paul Whalen Allan Bolante p OsL i( BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT G ' Joseph A. Grimes Office: ( 317) 852- 1109 NfP; FST_ 5 Chief of Police Fax: ( 317) 858- 2023 2- OLD BUSINESS CHIEF OF POLICE Chief Grimes gave updates on the current Reserve Officer Recruitment process. Chief stated the department received 38 applications. Chief Grimes stated historically they have experienced a decline throughout the phases in the number of participants. Chief stated he hopes this will revitalized the BPD Reserve Division. Chief Grimes stated last month he announced that all Officers and Reserve Officers would need to complete the mandatory Implicit Bias Training. Chief Grimes stated everyone has completed this training. Chief updated everyone on next year' s Citizen Academy. Chief Grimes stated in January 2021 BPD would be hosting the BPD Citizen' s Academy and participating in a segment of the Town' s Citizen Academy. The BPD Citizen' s Academy is full with 30 approved participants and we have a waiting list. Chief stated they plan to review the waiting list to decide on the possibility of second session. OLD BUSINESS COMMISSION Nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS CHIEF OF POLICE Chief Grimes discussed a recent K9 donation. Chief stated these young men, Austin & Logan Davis, have made this an annual event. Last year they conducted a lemonade stand, along with their neighbor, during the summer and all of their proceeds go to local organizations. This year they were again very successful. Chief Grimes stated their generous donation was awarded to the BPD K9 Division. They also donated to Hendricks Regional Health, Brownsburg Fire Territory Rehab Unit and the Brownsburg Blessing Box. Chief expressed his gratitude for their dedication. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Terry Smith 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Ray Kotarski Brownsburg, IN 46112 Dennis Dawes www.brownsburgpolice. org Paul Whalen Allan Bolante POLI { E 71 BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN R .• lo—. POLICE DEPARTMENT tio TF N• R.; Joseph A. Grimes Office: ( 317) 852- 1109 r .>, Chief of Police Fax: ( 317) 858- 2023 3- Chief Grimes stated in early August our agency was contacted by a representative from the Attorney General' s office requesting to have a panel meeting with Chief Grimes and other representatives from our Narcotic Unit. It was by invitation only. Some of the people invited are active in the program and some were those they want to bring on board. Chief said our department was fortunate to become a partnership with this group. Chief reminded the commissioners of the agreements they signed with IDEA. This allowed the department to buy two police vehicle and fully equip the vehicles with emergency equipment, in order to dedicate to narcotics enforcement. HIT- Highway Interdiction Team. Chief stated the department would then provide the statistical data to the program. Chief stated there are currently 12 teams throughout the state. They are having a very significant impact on drug distribution. Chief Grimes stated this has been a phenomenal opportunity for our department to be involved. Chief Grimes added that on August 11th based upon an investigation conducted by the Brownsburg Narcotic Unit, a traffic stop was conducted of a tractor- trailer. BNU were able to seize of a 163 pounds of marijuana, approximately 32, 000 marijuana gummies, over 1000 marijuana chocolate bars, 15, 000 marijuana yap cartridges and over 26, 000 can of individual 3 grams of marijuana containers. Chief stated in all over 4, 000 pounds of marijuana and marijuana product was seized from the stop. The value of this stop totaled over$ 3. 5 million dollars. Chief stated this is still an ongoing investigation. Chief stated that on August the 17th BNU ended a month long investigation into a large- scale marijuana dealer in Brownsburg. Chief said the Brownsburg resident was arrested after delivering over 75 pounds of marijuana and THC products in exchange for over$ 155, 000. BNU secured two search warrants for Brownsburg residence associated with this individual. At an apartment, officers found a small amount of marijuana and THC and $ 4, 450. The second locations, officers found a full working marijuana stash house and distribution sight. The house contained over 142 pounds of marijuana. Chief Grimes added our department is very fortunate to have personnel that is trained, have the skill set and networking available. Chief Grimes added statistical information with the statewide narcotic ( 12) teams; from 2018- 2020 there was 63. 82 pounds of heroin, which is approximately 28, 949 grams. Marijuana there 1, 989. 67 pounds which is 902, 501. 82 grams. Methamphetamine was 89. 63 pounds; 40, 657. 6 Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Terry Smith 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Ray Kotarski Brownsburg, IN 46112 Dennis Dawes www. brownsburguolice. org Paul Whalen Allan Bolante plO L;I`C-E, BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN irR POLICE DEPARTMENT t , , qyo, Joseph A. Grimes Office: ( 317) 852- 1109 N" S Q cr Chief of Police Fax: ( 317) 858- 2023 4- grams. Cocaine, 4. 18 pounds; 1, 896 grams. Arrests was 1, 557 and weapons total 239. Chief stated as far as our team from the Brownsburg Police Department during this same timeframe as part of those statistical numbers, our personnel contributed as follows: Heroin - 21, 656 grams Meth - 3, 666. 8 grams Cocaine - 109 grams Marijuana- 96, 652 grams Arrests - 100 Weapons - 28 Stops - 169 Chief stated he is very thankful for the men and women who continue to serve. Chief Grimes announced the new narcotic tip line. Chief said our in-house narcotic unit wanted to provide more resources to our community. We have established a narcotics tip line. Chief stated this number was on all of our social media platforms. The number is 317- 858- 6027. Chief Grimes informed the commission that he received notice from the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault. This organization will be recognizing Captain Jennifer Barrett for the Law Enforcement portion of the social service award. This will take place with a statewide virtual conference on Tuesday, September 21St. Chief said that Captain Barrett is among seven other individuals in other career professions that contribute to this type of enforcement. Chief stated she received raving reviews from her peers and co- workers for the nomination. Chief Grimes discussed the 2021 Proposed Budget. Chief stated he has had budget meetings but has only had one formal meeting with the Town Manager' s Office. Chief said that after the first meeting, due to the impact of COVID and revenue streams, there are concerns about the distribution of funds and allocation for the town of Brownsburg. Chief stated this has caused the agency to get off track. For the past few years and communication with the Town Manager' s office we are going to have to put our plans hold for 2021. This budget does not include any on additional personnel. Chief Grimes stated he plans to fill the vacancy position that we allocated for 2020 and get up to the 52 level and then review the funding availability and our staffing needs. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Terry Smith 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Ray Kotarski Brownsburg, IN 46112 Dennis Dawes www.brownsburgpolice. org Paul Whalen Allan Bolante p.O L I' C E , tit. 4 BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN t R• POLICE DEPARTMENT P0, ., •. : : Joseph A. Grimes Office: ( 317) 852- 1109 Fcr ` P Chief of Police Fax: ( 317) 858- 2023 5- Chief added at this point there is no salary increases other than a probationary officer becoming a non-probationary or someone that was hired in 2020 that will now have a full year salary in 2021. There are no raises as a reflection of the revenue streams and the direction of the Town Manager. Chief Grimes stated that the hopes would be is as we progress into this that the Town and the Town Council reassess the revenue that is coming in for consideration for the ability to do a special appropriation for pay raises for all town staff. Chief Grimes said that the 2020 budget was at $ 6, 727, 147 for 2021 the proposed budget is an increase because of non- discretionary line items. Chief said the proposed 2021 budget is $ 6, 883, 695 which is an increase of$ 156, 548 a 2. 33% increase from one year to the next. Chief said that within the line items of the PD they were able to decrease in certain areas, a little over$ 54,000. The non-discretionary items were over$ 210, 000. Chief explained to the public that non- discretionary items; a 5% increase in health insurance, that is not a line item that can be decreased. In addition, the town recognizes employees that have been retained for four years. Chief said that this year the department has 25 employees that are eligible. Chief said he has to budget with current rates of pay, $ 23, 811 this is another non- discretionary item that he has to count in the budget. Full year salary and non- probationary salary of hires from 2019- 2020, those are not discretionary. Chief stated that he has to figure in $ 72, 505. 22. Chief Grimes added full year salaries of those employees it effects the retirement fund and a marginal amount of an increase of$ 14, 000 in that area as well. Chief Grimes requested the commissioners approve the proposed 2021 budget in the total dollar amount of$ 6, 883, 695. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion to approve the 2021 proposed budget. Paul Whalen made a motion to approve the 2021 proposed budget. Allan Bolante seconded the motion. Motion carried 5- 0. Chief Grimes stated the first reading is this month and the final reading is in October. Chief Grimes thanked the commissioners for their patience in working on this budget. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Terry Smith 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Ray Kotarski Brownsburg, IN 46112 Dennis Dawes www. brownsburgpolice. org Paul Whalen Allan Bolante p© LlC`E 4 BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT X90, N ; Joseph A. Grimes Office: ( 317) 852- 1109 P rF Chief of Police Fax: ( 317) 858- 2023 6- NEW BUSINESS COMMISSION Ray Kotarski stated that on August 22, 2020 there was a Back the Blue Rally. Several police agencies and Hendricks County Sheriff Deputies attended. Ray Kotarski said that he estimates that 100 people attended. Ray Kotarski stated this was a very nice event and thanked Town Councilman Jeff Gracey, Tina Gracey and Kristen Ferklic for organizing the event. Ray Kotarski read the conditional offer to candidate Chris Fisher. Chris Fisher agreed to the conditions and signed off on the letter. Chris stated he has been a police officer in Rockville, Indiana for several years. Major Andy Watts read over the updates and changes to all of the policies that are up for approval. Policy 06. 09. 01 Mentally Ill Persons, Policy 06. 13. 01 Patrol Functions and Tactics and Policy 02. 13. 01 Chief of Police Job Description. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve all of the policies. Paul Whalen made a motion to approve the policies as presented. Terry Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried 5- 0. DIVISION REPORTS & MONTHLY STATS Ray Kotarski stated the Sgt. Fleck has a monthly Crime Watch meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the BPD Training Facility at 7: 00PM. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE Allan Bolante read a card given to the department from Austin and Logan Davis. Paul Whalen read the donation report. The total donations year to day is $ 6, 000. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Terry Smith 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Ray Kotarski Brownsburg, IN 46112 Dennis Dawes www.brownsburepolice. org Paul Whalen Allan Bolante p-O>LIOE BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT Po, -; Joseph A. Grimes Office: ( 317) 852- 1109 Chief of Police Fax: ( 317) 858- 2023 7- ATTORNEY Nothing to report. FLOOR Nothing to add. ADJOURNMENT Ray Kotarski asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Allan Bolante made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7: 07PM. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Terry Smith 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Ray Kotarski Brownsburg, IN 46112 Dennis Dawes www.brownsburgpolice. org Paul Whalen Allan Bolante POLI,CE z,,.... ;\ OM1` BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT 09o *, Joseph A. Grimes Office: ( 317) 852- 1109 N `` dor_.y'',e Chief of Police Fax: ( 317) 858- 2023 8- THESE MINUTES SO APPROVED THIS 13TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2020. 1 L Ray Kot. 44i, Presi• ent I ll./ :olant. Vice P r- sident i iyiyi) t, omn issioner Terry mitt Lit ' t1L, DeDawes, Co Paul Whalen, Commissioner ATTESTED: Klu 6.141ACYLIA>" e • e Cummins, Secretary Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Terry Smith 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Ray Kotarski Brownsburg, IN 46112 Dennis Dawes www. brownsburgnolice. org Paul Whalen Allan Bolante