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 August 13, 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 _______________________________ Pastor Ruth Moore from White Lick Presbyterian Church 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. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Ray Kotarski requested approval of the minutes from the July 9th police commission meeting. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Sam Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. OLD BUSINESS CHIEF OF POLICE Chief provided the Expense Report to the Commissioners. There were no questions or comments. 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 COMMISSION The Commissioners had nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS CHIEF OF POLICE Chief Grimes introduced the police department’s new Forensic Analyst, Anthony Merckel. Anthony currently works for Susie’s Place and will begin his new position with BPD on September 9th. Chief Grimes discussed the increase in road rage/firearm incidents. Throughout Indiana, there has been an increase in this type of incident. Chief stated that unfortunately in the past month there were two incidents in the Brownsburg community. On July 5th, there was a report of shots fired, personnel arrived to find a car with the windows damaged and two residential homes received damage from bullets. Chief stated that no one was injured and Detectives followed up on leads and have filed charges. Chief Grimes said that a member from the Indiana Patriot Guard met with him to explain the program, Snowball Express and the foundation. Their organization is involved in Operation Patch it Up. This event is to assist children and families who have lost a loved one that was a first responder, in the line of duty. The group is collecting patches from law enforcement and fire departments to create vests with the patches on it. The organization has also planned a trip to Disney World with the families. Chief said that ERT did not have any deployments in July but have had two deployments so far for August. Chief said that ERT was called out on August 1st to assist on a High Risk Warrant service. This was regarding the Burglary of Firehouse Subs and the suspect was taken into custody. Detectives requested ERT assistance. On August 3rd, Avon PD requested ERT’s assistance in taking a suspect from an armed robbery case into custody. There were no injuries for both incidents. Chief said on Friday, August 16th Officers will be joining the Brownsburg Dunkin Donuts for “Cops on Rooftops” fundraiser. Captain Bullock is organizing Officers to attend to help raise 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- money for Special Olympics-Indiana from 5:00AM-noon. Our department has participated in this event for several years. Chief asked everyone to stop by and donate. Chief Grimes announced this year’s National Night Out would be Tuesday, October 1st from 5:30-7:30PM at Arbuckle Acres. Chief said that currently we have forty-eight participants signed up to be vendors at the event. Chief said that US Nationals is coming up August 28th – September 2nd. There will be an influx in traffic around the area alternative routes may be considered. Chief Grimes said that personnel would be working at the track as well. Chief Grimes announced Trick or Treating hours for this year are, October 31st 5:30PM-8:30PM. This year the department will be patrolling the neighborhoods and passing out candy and will not have anything at our facility. On Saturday, October 26th 5:00PM-7:00PM, we will collaborate with the Brownsburg Parks Department and have a booth at Williams Park for Trail and Treat. Chief said that the department has applied for a community grant through Walmart. Chief Grimes stated that he has applied for the maximum of $5000. Chief has been notified the department will be awarded $2300. Chief Grimes discussed employee retention. Chief said that officers that are leaving a law enforcement career is becoming more common. Chief said that resignation letters he recently received have a common financial reason for leaving. Chief Grimes stated that our department cannot compete with the private sector regarding salaries but the Town leadership needs to be aware of what is taking place and our department needs to be able to be competitive with law enforcement and local governments. Chief stated this is not just the police department, but important for all town employees. Chief Grimes added Lt. Depinet and Captain Klayer have been working together to provide an easier way to extract statistical data for the agency. Chief said he wanted a process put in place that is easier to extract data for personnel now and in the future. Chief Grimes said that both are working on a more automated workflow. Chief thanked both of them for what they are doing. 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- NEW BUSINESS COMMISSION Ray Kotarski read a resignation letter from Officer Elizabeth Danai. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion to accept. Sam Lowe made a motion to accept the resignation. Matt Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Allan Bolante read a letter of resignation from Officer Matt Burks. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion to accept. Tim Cooper made a motion to accept the resignation. Sam Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Ray Kotarski read a letter of resignation from Officer Michael Stalnaker. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion to accept the resignation. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the resignation. Sam Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Sam Lowe read a letter from Chief Grimes requesting the designation as a Reserve Officer to Matthew Burks. Officer Burks has retained all training as an Officer and would like to remain on the department as a Reserve Officer. Matt Simpson made a motion to approve. Allan Bolante seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Sam Lowe read a letter from Chief Grimes designating Michael Langeman as a Reserve Police Officer with the Brownsburg Police Department. Michael Langeman is currently the department’s Intelligence Analyst, has previous law enforcement training, and has retained all of his certifications. Langeman was previously with the FBI. Sam Lowe made a motion to approve the request. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Ray Kotarski read a conditional offer letter of employment from Chief Grimes to Jason Umbanhowar. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the request. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the request. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0. Jason Umbanhowar spoke to the group and thanked them for the opportunity to serve with the department. The following policies were discussed and approved by the Police 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 -5- Salary Program and Benefits 04.03.01 Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve. Tim Cooper made a motion to approve the policy as presented. Allan Bolante seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Testing for Drugs and Alcohol 02.35.01 Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve. Matt Simpson seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Notification Next of Kin 06.11.01 Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve. Matt Simpson made a motion to approve. Allan Bolante seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Professional Conduct 03.05.01 Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve. Sam Lowe made a motion to approve. Allan Bolante seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Major Watts presented the Lateral Recruitment plan. Major said that pre-apps will be accepted beginning August 14th. DIVISION REPORTS & MONTHLY STATS Reports were provided to the Police Commissioners. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE Tim Cooper read a letter from INDOT thanking Officer Stalnaker for his assistance. Matt Simpson read a thank you letter from Pittsboro Police Chief Scott King thanking BPD personnel that worked the shooting incident in Pittsboro on July 12th. Chief King was thankful for the assistance. ATTORNEY Attorney Jayson Marksberry discussed new department policies, LETB Uniform Statewide Policy on Deadly Force 10.02.01(a). Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the policy. Tim Cooper made a motion to approve the policy as presented. Matt Simpson seconded the motion. Policy approved 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 -6- Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve policy 10.02.01 Use of Force. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the policy as presented. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0. FLOOR Mrs. Yvonne Brandenburg expressed her support for the department and the officers, and thanked the officers that have chosen to leave. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:57PM. 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 -7- THESE MINUTES SO APPROVED THIS 10th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 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