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 July 9, 2024 at 6:00PM. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ray Kotarski, Tim Cooper, Allan Bolante and Sam Lowe ALSO PRESENT: Chief Joseph Grimes, Major Andy Watts, Major Bryan Fultz, Attorney Jayson Marksberry and Secretary Kellie Cummins ABSENT: Commissioner Matt Simpson _______________________________ Pastor Mike Abbott from Brownsburg Baptist Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll Call was conducted and a quorum was formed. Commissioner Simpson was absent. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the agenda for today’s meeting. Tim Cooper made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. Sam Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the June 11, 2024 Police Commission meeting minutes as presented. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. 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 reviewed the expense report. Chief Grimes stated the recent 4th of July Extravaganza and parade were well attended even though the weather caused some changes in the start time. Chief said that there were no significant issues during the event and thanked everyone that helped throughout the holiday. Chief updated the Commissioners on the Police & Fire Summer Camp. Chief stated it was another great year with 60 children attending each of the sessions. Chief stated that they received several compliments. Chief thanked Officer Elsiana Crosby and Captain Bullock for all of the planning and all of the staff from Police, Fire and Parks Department for their dedication. Cindy Bailey is the main contributor to the program that allows it to be free. Chief Grimes said they look forward to next year. OLD BUSINESS COMMISSION There were no comments. NEW BUSINESS CHIEF OF POLICE Chief Grimes discussed the 2025 Budget. Chief said that they started preparing the budget in April. In June the first, round meeting was conducted with the Town Manager and Staff. Chief said he presented the proposed budget, in the budget he asked for four sworn officers, two civilian, and a second CSI. The Police General Fund for 2024 was $9,324,655.24. Chief Grimes stated that for 2025 they were requesting $10,302,900.00 the majority of the increase is for Salary/benefits based upon staffing increase, $656,000.00. 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- Chief Grimes discussed Community Relations assignment. Chief said that Officer Elsiana Crosby has been in this position for less than a year. In June Officer Crosby submitted a letter to the Chief requesting re-assignment to Patrol. Chef Grimes discussed the request with Officer Crosby and understands her reasons for the request. Chief approved the request and stated that she did a great job. Officer Crosby will remain the Officer in charge of the Women’s Self- Defense classes and will continue to be a Child Passenger Restraint Technician. Captain Bullock will assume the duties of the Community Relations responsibilities for the time being. Chief gave the Commissioners an update to Resolution 2024-12. Chief said that the department voted on the Resolution. Each Sworn Officer had the opportunity to do a secret ballot. Chief said there were two different dates to participate. Chief announced that the department wished to keep the Police Commission as it is in place and not have a Merit Board. Chief Grimes presented the findings to the Town’s Legal representative. Chief Grimes said that the three sworn new hires have completed their requirements and are scheduled to be sworn in on July 15th at 9:00am by the Clerk Treasurer. Chief discussed personnel assignment and re-structuring. Chief said that with the recent promotions, Major Fultz and Captain Klayer worked on the schedule to keep the ERT members balanced. The goal was to have ERT Operators on each of the four shifts. In addition, the Traffic Unit has another member due to Cpl. Brinson’s promotion. Office Michael Stalnaker has been added to the Traffic Unit. Chief Grimes discussed Crises Intervention Team Training. Sgt. Abshire, Officers Clay, Crosby, J. Smith and Singh have registered for the CIT course for September 16th-20th. The Hendricks County Sheriff Department will be hosting. This is a great course for dealing with persons in crises, which officers deal with a lot more. Officer Dustin Johnson has attended the training and has utilized the training often. He was asked to attend the training and give his testimony on how the training has been helpful. Chief Grimes said that he has extended a conditional offer to the top candidate for the Forensic Analyst position. Chief stated that when the individual is schedule to start he would have them attend a PC meeting to meet the Commissioners. 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- Chief said Lucas Oil Raceway would host the ARCA and NASCAR event on July 19th. During this event Chief is encouraging local residence that are not attending the event to use caution and avoid the area. Chief estimates that this will be a heavily attended event. Chief Grimes said that most frauds that are perpetrated by the internet have a financial nexus. Scams range from being sex extortion to suspects making calls claiming to be government entities demanding money. These fraud and scams are typically traced outside of the United States and are hard to prosecute. Chief Grimes stated that if there is a sex extortion incident to call police. Chief said if someone calls claiming to be, a government official and you are threatened call the police. That is not how government or law enforcement work. We would not call and demand money. Chief said that on June 10th members of the Brownsburg Narcotics Unit went with DEA to California. They spent four days tracking an individual wanted here for crimes they did. They were successful, arrested the individual and brought him back to Indiana. On June 20th, BNU assisted Avon Detectives in locating and individual wanted on a Robbery Warrant. They tracked the person to a business in Brownsburg. Chief Grimes stated that Officer Dirk Fentz is a part- time TFO, he assisted the US Marshals and helped track down another person wanted for an Armed Robbery. The same individual supplied a firearm that was used in a homicide. Chief Grimes extended his gratitude to everyone involved in these cases. Chief Grimes wanted to acknowledge the Reserve Division for their dedication to the department and town. The Reserve Division put in over 100 hours during the month of June. Chief Grimes added that Logan and Austin would be conducting their annual Lemonade Stand on Saturday, July 20th and Sunday July 21st. Chief encourages everyone to attend on Sunday. This year there is a competition between Fire & Police. Sunday is Police Day. The boys donate their funds to our K9 Division. Chief thanked the Davis family for their dedication. Ray Kotarski asked when National Night Out is. Chief Grimes said Tuesday, October 1st 5:30- 7:30PM. 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- NEW BUSINESS COMMISSION Allan Bolante read a letter from Chief Grimes requesting the Probationary Release of Officer Jon Staton and Officer Karanveer Singh to First Class Police Officers. Both have met requirements. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the request. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Sam Lowe read a letter from Chief Grimes requesting the Probationary Release of Officer Megan Clonce to First Class Police Officer. Officer Clonce has met all requirements. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the request. Sam Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Chief Grimes said that all three Officers had prior law enforcement experience and are doing a great job for Brownsburg. DIVISION REPORTS & MONTHLY STATS Reports were provided to the Commissioners. ATTORNEY Jayson Marksberry had nothing to report. 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- ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:40PM THESE MINUTES SO APPROVED THIS 13th DAY OF AUGUST 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