Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION December 28, 2016 Minutes PRESENT: Commissioner James Sponaugle, Chief F. Michael Catalano, Deputy Chief Paul Sandy and Secretary Diane Ferri. ABSENT: Commissioner Eric Prior, Commissioner Trish Hansen. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on December 28, 2016 in the Police Department Lounge, City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland New York. Comm. James Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 3:21 p.m. A. MINUTES – The Commission reviewed the minutes of the November meeting but as there was no quorum, approval was not possible. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the November bills totaling $101,476.37 and placed on file. C. REPORTS – The following reports were highlighted: 1. Monthly Invoice List - Vendor Description Amt Paid • Overhead Door Repair/replace overhead door at PD Garage $ 2,700.00 • ABS Solutions New Server $ 6,185.75 2. YTD Budget Balances - The Commission reviewed the account lines and percentages expended. 3. Vehicle Maintenance - The Deputy Chief reviewed with the Commission the status of the vehicles. 4. Sick Report - The Commission reviewed the new Sick Time Comparison Report. 5. Overtime – Accumulated hours worked for the month of November totaled 1955.00 hours, compared to 1882.75 hours for the same period in 2015, reflecting a 72.25-hour increase for the month from 2015 and a 172.50-hour increase year-to-date. 6. Other Activities Report – The Commission reviewed the report while the Chief highlighted some of the statistical information. Calls for service increased for the month by 211 calls, year-to-date increase of 6,149 calls from 2015. 7. Officers Activities Breakdown – Statistics highlighted by Chief Catalano included 4 DWI arrests, which is low, for the month. He further noted the specific statistics for Ptl. Derrick Edick, with 32 V&T arrests, Ptl. Chad Knapp with 50 parking tickets, Ptl. Joseph Peters with 55 parking tickets, and Ptl. Ryan Riley with 41 V&T arrests. 8. Arrest Breakdown - The Chief reviewed this report with the Commission including arrest total comparisons. 1 OLD BUSINESS A. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION - The Chief updated the Commission regarding the background investigation being conducted on the candidate, Trevor M. Wenz, and noted he was offered the position. Mr. Wenz is scheduled to commence duties on 1/9/17, and fills the "back-fill" position for the COPS grant position. B. COP INTERVIEWS - The Chief reported on the outcomes of the recent series of interviews for the newly created COPS position. Of the five candidates interviewed, Ptl. Jesse Abbott was awarded the position. C. ACCREDITATION - Chief Catalano announced the official status the department received on 12/8/16 at a ceremony in Albany. WXHC publicized the information, and now the department must continue the standards and renew the accreditation in five years. NEW BUSINESS A. SCHOOL CROSSING ELIMINATED - The Chief apprised the Commission of the elimination of the crossing at the corner of Grant Street and North Main Street with the resignation of Ms. Claudia Natale. He further stated no crossing guard has been terminated, but crossing guards have been re-assigned. B. RETIREMENT SCHEDULED - Sgt. Michael Nichols has announced his intention to retire in February, 2017 and filed the appropriate paperwork with the City and New York State. His last official work day will be 2/11/17. Promotional interviews are tentatively scheduled for 1/25/17, with a Supervisor's School scheduled 1/30/17. The Commissioners are invited to participate in the promotional interviews. Typically the interviews are conducted by the Chief, the Deputy Chief and the Police Commission in the evening of the date chosen. OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, CORRESPONDENCE REPORT - 1. Mr. Aaron Baier of Access to Independence sent a letter to Lt. Guerrera thanking the department and the Lieutenant for their participation in the 2016 County Mentoring Day. 2. Ms. Katina Casterline sent an email to Lt. David Guerrera recommending Ptl. Ryan Gross for the position of Community Oriented Police position, based on their regular meetings, where he consistently displays a positive attitude and great people skills. 3. Ptl. Jesse Abbott, Ptl. Daniel Mones, Ptl. Benjamin Locke, Ptl. Melissa Eccleston, and Ptl. Ryan Gross each received a letter of invitation for an interview for the position of Community Oriented Police Officer. 4. Ptl. Jesse Abbott received a letter from Chief Catalano appointing him to the position of Community Oriented Police Officer. 5. Ptl. Benjamin Locke, Ptl. Daniel Mones, Ptl. Melissa Eccleston, and Ptl. Ryan Gross each received a letter from Chief Catalano, notifying them of the final decision rendered for the new position. 2  6. Chief Catalano sent a letter to Ms. Sharon McNeil of the Sean M. Walsh K9 Memorial Foundation, thanking her for her generous donation to support the addition of a second canine to the Department's Canine Unit. 7. Ms. Donnalyn Moran sent a letter to Chief Catalano donating a dual-purpose police K9 to the Department. The Chief acknowledged, accepted, and thanked her for the donation of the K9. 8. Ptl. Patrick O'Donnell received a card from Kathleen Birdsell thanking him for his help with her son, Noah. 9 Chief Catalano wrote a letter to Mr. Trevor Wenz approving his request for employment and notifying him of the start date of 1/9/17. 9. Ptl. Jeffrey Fitts received a Certificate from the State of New York DCJS acknowledging his successful completion of the Defensive Tactics Instructor course. 10. Sgt. Penny Guerrera received a Certificate of Achievement from the DCJS Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council in recognition of her leadership and dedication as the program manager for the Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. 11. Ptl. Brendan Byrnes and Ptl. Kyle Green each received a Certificate of Completion for successfully completing the SWAT Operator Course provided by the State of New York DCJS Municipal Police Training Council. 12. Lt. Richard Troyer received a Certificate of Completion for successfully completing the Property/Evidence Room Management Course provided by the State of New York DCJS Municipal Police Training Council. 13. Chief Catalano sent Ms. Diana Russett a thank you letter for the Senior Citizens Tenant Association donation to the Canine Program. 14. Chief Catalano sent a letter to Ms. Tavia Hunt for her donation to the Police Department for McGruff Programs. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – Chairman Jim Sponaugle wished everyone a happy New Year. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 3:15 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room. With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane L. Ferri Confidential Secretary 3