Board of Police Commissioners

BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT Joseph A. Grimes Office: (317) 852-1109 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 May 14, 2024 at 6:00PM. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ray Kotarski, Tim Cooper, Allan Bolante, Matt Simpson and Sam Lowe ALSO PRESENT: Chief Joseph Grimes, Major Andy Watts, Major Bryan Fultz, Attorney Jayson Marksberry and Secretary Kellie Cummins _______________________________ Ray Kotarski announced that this is Police Week. Reverend Michelle Knight from Calvary United Methodist Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll Call was conducted and a quorum was formed. Ray Kotarski requested approval of today’s agenda. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the minutes to the April 9th monthly Police Commission meeting. Tim Cooper made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Allan Bolante abstained from the vote. Matt Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the Special Meeting minutes dated April 23rd. Matt Simpson made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Allan Bolante seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Ray Kotarski 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Allan Bolante Brownsburg, IN 46112 Tim Cooper www.brownsburgpolice.org Matt Simpson Sam Lowe  BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT Joseph A. Grimes Office: (317) 852-1109 Chief of Police Fax: (317) 858-2023 -2- OLD BUSINESS CHIEF OF POLICE Chief Grimes asked if any of the Commissions had any comments regarding the Expense Report. There were no comments. Chief Grimes updated the group on the Forensic Analyst Recruitment process. Chief said that they received twenty-six pre-applications and invited sixteen to the interview process. Interviews are set for June 12th. Chief said that conditional offers were made to four candidates at the last meeting. Officer Jalen Christian-Moss, a lateral hire, will begin on Monday, May 20th. The other three non- experienced, candidates are awaiting approval from the Pension Board and INPRS. OLD BUSINESS COMMISSION The Commissioners had nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS CHIEF OF POLICE Chief said that our ERT unit had two deployments in April. The first one on April 9th was to assist Avon PD in a high-risk arrest warrant. The suspect was taken into custody without any issues and an AR15 silent rifle was located during the search. On April 30th, ERT deployed with Brownsburg Narcotic Unit to serve an active Warrant for possession of meth and auto theft. The suspect was taken into custody without any injuries. Chief Grimes said that BPD K9 Units had multiple apprehensions. Chief said on April 13th Speedway PD requested assistance with an armed robber apprehension. K9 Officer Heather Foote and her K9 partner Raptr assisted responded to the area where the suspect was last scene. They conducted an area search where the suspect was found under a tarp and did not comply Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Ray Kotarski 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Allan Bolante Brownsburg, IN 46112 Tim Cooper www.brownsburgpolice.org Matt Simpson Sam Lowe  BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT Joseph A. Grimes Office: (317) 852-1109 Chief of Police Fax: (317) 858-2023 -3- The suspect would not show his hands or respond to commands from the Officers. K9 Raptr was utilized to apprehend and take the suspect into custody. A firearm was located near the suspect’s location. On April 22nd, Cpl. Shedrow assisted Boone County Sheriff Department with a stolen vehicle and pursuit. Cpl. Shedrow responded to I74 and joined the pursuit, the stolen vehicle crashed and two suspects fled. Cpl. Shedrow deployed his K9 Drago and was able to take the suspects in custody without any harm to the officers or any other citizens. Chief Grimes discussed a two shots fired investigation incidents. Officers responded to a Shots Fired run in March 29th involving shots fired into a vehicle on Trigger Lane. Officer observed several bullet holes in an unoccupied vehicle. Officer Megan Clonce collected evidence, shell casings and interview witnesses. Officer Clonce conducted more interviews and was able identify and file charges on a suspect. On May 1st, AMA Officers responded to Shots Fired in the area of Kingston Circle. Witnesses stated that one vehicle and three males fled the area. Shell casings were collected and Detectives are investigating the incident. Chief said that Community Relations Officer Elsiana Crosby arranged for the Brownsburg High School Photography & Media class to have pictures taken of some of the department’s personnel and specialty units. These pictures will be utilized for recruitment flyers. Chief Grimes thanked Officer Crosby for setting this up and stated it was good to interact with the students and answer questions they had. The Chief Grimes recognized Officer Megan Clonce for her time and effort in working the recent shots fired case that assisted Marion County in identifying a suspect wanted in a homicide case that occurred in Marion County. Chief Grimes presented Officer Clonce with a Commendation plaque. Chief discussed Resolution 2024-12. Chief said that on May 9th the Town Council voted and passes Resolution 2024-12, this is relation to House Bill 1016. Chief Grimes said this is a Legislative change that if the Town did not create a Resolution or Ordinance the Board of Police Commissioner would become a Merit System on January 1, 2025. The Legislation added that there is an opportunity to keep the integrity the way it is comprised. The Resolution has to be provided to the sworn body of the department, and it has been. Chief said the sworn personnel then have the opportunity to vote for their choice and that has to be done in three weeks. Chief Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Ray Kotarski 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Allan Bolante Brownsburg, IN 46112 Tim Cooper www.brownsburgpolice.org Matt Simpson Sam Lowe  BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT Joseph A. Grimes Office: (317) 852-1109 Chief of Police Fax: (317) 858-2023 -4- Grimes said that he has talked to the Town’s Legal Counsel regarding the Resolution. It is not mandatory that everyone votes. NEW BUSINESS COMMISSION Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve policy 01.12.01 Inspections. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the policy and the updates. Matt Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve policy 02.25.02 Job Description- Enforcement Logistics Coordinator. Tim Cooper made a motion to approve the policy and the updates. Allan Bolante seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve policy 02.11.03 Job Description – Chief of Operations Division. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the policy and the updates. Matt Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Chief Grimes requested consent to move forward with a promotional process because Sgt. Matt Wing will be retiring and a Sgt. is needed for a Shift. A current Corporal is eligible to apply for Sergeant and then a Corporal will be needed. Ray Kotarski asked each Police Commissioner for their consent and all agreed. Commissioner Cooper read a resignation email from Reserve Officer Joe Tesmer. Commissioner Bolante read a retirement letter from Sergeant Matt Wing. Sgt. Wing spoke to the group and thanked them for making the department a great place to serve. Commissioner Kotarski read a letter from Chief Grimes requesting his service weapon be declared surplus, as he will be retiring. The Commissioners gave consent and the Chief will take the request to the next town meeting for approval. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Ray Kotarski 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Allan Bolante Brownsburg, IN 46112 Tim Cooper www.brownsburgpolice.org Matt Simpson Sam Lowe  BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT Joseph A. Grimes Office: (317) 852-1109 Chief of Police Fax: (317) 858-2023 -5- DIVISION REPORTS & MONTHLY STATS Reports were provided to the Commissioners. ATTORNEY Nothing to report. FLOOR No comments. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:45PM. Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Ray Kotarski 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Allan Bolante Brownsburg, IN 46112 Tim Cooper www.brownsburgpolice.org Matt Simpson Sam Lowe  BROWNSBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT Joseph A. Grimes Office: (317) 852-1109 Chief of Police Fax: (317) 858-2023 -6- THESE MINUTES SO APPROVED THIS 11th DAYOF JUNE 2024. ___________________________ Ray Kotarski, President ___________________________ Tim Cooper, Vice President ___________________________ Allan Bolante, Commissioner ___________________________ Matt Simpson, Commissioner __________________________ Sam Lowe, Commissioner ATTESTED: _____________________________ Kellie Cummins, Secretary Board of Police Commissioners Attorney Ray Kotarski 31 N. Green Street Jayson Marksberry Allan Bolante Brownsburg, IN 46112 Tim Cooper www.brownsburgpolice.org Matt Simpson Sam Lowe