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 October 8, 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: Matt Simpson _______________________________ Reverend Michelle Knight from Calvary United Methodist Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll Call was conducted Commissioner Simpson was absent. A quorum was formed. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the agenda. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Ray Kotarski requested a motion to approve the minutes from the September 10, 2024 police commission meeting. Allan Bolante made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Sam Lowe 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 The September Expense report was provided to the Commissioners. There were no questions. Chief Grimes updated the Commissioners on the status of the 2025 Budget. Chief said that the Town Council would have the third and final reading of the overall town budget at this Thursday’s Town Council meeting. Chief said that one of the changes is 4% was approved instead of 3% to the salaries. Chief pointed out that this is figured against the base salary of sworn and civilian pay. Chief gave an update on the current Lateral Recruitment. Chief said that interviews were conducted and only four candidates showed up. Chief thanked Ray Kotarski for being on the interview board. After oral interviews, two of the candidates did not meet the standards. The other two will move forward to backgrounds and CVSA’s. Chief Grimes stated that National Night Out was held on October 3rd. Chief thanked Commissioners Kotarski and Lowe for helping with set up. Chief thanked Kellie Cummins and Captain Pat Bullock for their planning and all personnel for their participation for a great evening for the community. Chief said that the State Attorney General’s Office and our Department would present Shielding the Community. The event is Tuesday, October 29th 10:00AM-12:00PM. Chief encouraged the public to attend. OLD BUSINESS COMMISSION Ray Kotarski thanked Kellie Cummins, Captain Pat Bullock and everyone involved, for their dedication to making National Night Out a great event. Allan Bolante commented on how well the event was attended. Chief said that it is hard to estimate but does believe there were over 1,000 attendance. 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- NEW BUSINESS CHIEF OF POLICE Chief Grimes said that recently Officer Cody Molina was recognized for his dedication to keeping our community safe. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for conducting thirty OWI traffic stops in 2023 presented Officer Molina an award. The event was held at Lucas Oil Stadium where officers from around the state were honored. Chief Grimes mentioned that Officer Molina already has thirty stops so far for 2024. Chief Grimes stated that this year the police department would be participating in Trail and Treat with the Brownsburg Parks Department. The event is at Williams Park. Chief said that the event is Saturday, October 26th from 5:00-7:00PM. On Halloween, Officers will be patrolling neighborhoods and giving out candy. Chief said that Captain Bullock has had a busy month with Community Engagement events. The Department also participated in Touch a Truck at Calvary United Methodist Church for their school program and we had a booth at the Brownsburg Public Library. Chief Grimes advised that he would like to begin discussions with the Commissioners regarding take home vehicles and department policy. Chief said that currently employees could have a take home car to use in surrounding counties. Chief Grimes advised that during the hiring process the topic has become an obstacle to some who were interested in becoming a Brownsburg Officer. This has been more of an issue with Lateral applicants. Chief explained that Lateral applicants already have their home and children’s schools established and do not want to change that. Chief stated he is not asking for a statewide option but wants to find something that will work and encourage people to apply with our agency. Chief Grimes asked that the Commissioners think about the request and call him for further discussions before the next PC meeting. Chief discussed Lateral Comparisons. Chief said that the initial current Lateral process had eighteen pre-applications, twelve were disqualified, two more disqualified, two withdrew right before oral interviews, two moved on. Chief added when looking at other departments; Westfield is matching years of service, less than a year base pay is $77,000; 1-3 years $82,000; 4 years plus 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- $90,000. Chief Grimes said that he plans to move forward on the 2026 budget to push the salary and benefits so that we can be competitive. Chief Grimes said that he talks to his staff and personnel to keep them informed of everything happening with budget approvals. Personnel are the most important asset to the department. Chief said the department’s moral is high and he believes this is a great department to work for. Chief Grimes stated on September 9th ERT was contacted by Cpl. Shedrow. Shedrow’s shift responded to shots fired on Kingston Circle. It was reported that an individual had shot rounds into the air and retreated back inside their home and barricaded. ERT was able to get the suspect out of the house and was taken into custody. A Glock handgun was recovered. Chief said the APC was on the scene and he is thankful for having something safe for our personnel to utilize. NEW BUSINESS COMMISSION Sam Lowe read a letter from Chief Grimes requesting that the resignation letter he submitted from Matt Burks in September be rescinded. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion to approve the request. Sam Lowe made a motion to approve the rescinding of the resignation letter. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion to reinstate Matt Burks as a Brownsburg Police Officer. Tim Cooper made a motion to reinstate Matt Burks. Sam Lowe seconded. Motion carried 4-0. The Police Commissioners presented Chief Grimes with a plaque acknowledging him for twenty-five years of service with the Brownsburg Police Department. Chief Grimes thanked everyone. Major Watts read over the changes and updates to policy 02.07.01 Fitness for Duty and Light Duty. Ray Kotarski asked for a motion to approve the policy. Sam Lowe made a motion to approve the updates. Tim Cooper seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Major Watts read over the changes and updates to policy 06.12.01 Off Duty Contacts and Powers of Arrest. Tim Cooper made a motion to approve the updates. Sam Lowe 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 -5- DIVISION REPORTS & MONTHLY STATS Reports were provided to the Commissioners. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE Thank you cards from the Knowles family and the Dennis family were read. ATTORNEY No report. FLOOR Yvonne Brandenburg gave inspirational comments to the Commissioners and Staff and thanked the department for keeping the Brownsburg Community safe. 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 12th DAY OF NOVEMBER 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