Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION June 27, 2018 Minutes PRESENT: Commissioner James Sponaugle, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Chief F. Michael Catalano, Deputy Chief Paul Sandy, and Secretary Diane Ferri. EXCUSED: Commissioner Eric Prior. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on June 27, 2018 in the Mayor's Conference Room, City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland New York. Chairman James Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 3:22 p.m. A. MINUTES – The minutes of the May meeting were reviewed and on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Sponaugle were approved for filing. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the May bills totaling $29,645.55 for filing and the Chief noted it includes the invoice for vehicle equipment. C. REPORTS – The following reports were highlighted: 1. YTD Budget Balances - The Commission reviewed the account lines and percentages expended, noting that with the new year and new budget, everything is in good shape. 2. Overtime – Accumulated hours worked for the month of May totaled 1474.25 hours, compared to 994.00 hours for the same period in 2017, reflecting a monthly increase of 408.25 hours from 2017, and a year-to-date increase of 133.25 hours. 3. Other Activities - Calls for service have decreased by 294 for the month compared to 2017 and also decreased by 3725 year-to-date. 4. SPCA Report - The new SPCA report was reviewed with note of 38 complaints handled for the month, 112 year-to-date, 14 after-hours calls year-to-date, and 17 tickets issued year-to-date. 5. Officers Activities Breakdown – Statistics highlighted by Chief Catalano included 9 DWI arrests for the month. He further noted the specific statistics for Ptl. Derrick Edick, Ptl. Trevor Wenz, and Ptl. Jeffrey Fitts. 6. Parking Tickets - Parking tickets issued for the month of May totaled 360. 7. Arrest Breakdown - The Chief reviewed this report with the Commission, noting penal law arrests are down by 292, but the grand total of all arrests is greater by 34 than this time in 2017. 8. Bike Patrol Report - The Chief and the Commission briefly reviewed this report, noting 32.25 patrol hours were spent on the bike patrol with 2 DWI arrests, 3 V&T arrests and 86 miles logged on officers' timesheets. OLD BUSINESS 1 HAMPTON INN STAND-OFF - The Chief updated the Commission regarding the recent stand-off at the Hampton Inn late in May where a drug dealer barricaded himself in a hotel room with a hostage. Assistance was provided to this department by Cortland County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), Broome County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), New York State Police (NYSP), Ithaca Police Department (IPD), Tompkins County Sheriff's Office (TCSO), Endicott Police Department, FBI, Cortland Fire Department (CFD), and TLC. NEW BUSINESS PERSONNEL - The Chief apprised the board regarding 2 personnel issues: 1. Status on filling the most recently vacated position. The Chief noted a background investigation is in process on a candidate by the name of Bradley Laman. If all goes well, he will begin employment on 7/9 and Basic Academy in Syracuse on 7/10 at no cost to the Department. 2. Update on current employees. Ptl. Adam Troyer recently underwent surgery from an injury while on duty and Ptl. Kimberly Lawrence will be taking time, tentatively to start in July, for maternity leave. OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, CORRESPONDENCE REPORT - 1. Chief Catalano sent thank you letters to Major William McEvoy, NYSP, Ms. Kelly Foster, General Manager of Hampton Inn, Mr. David Butler of TLC, Mr. Eric Verfuss, Regional Coordinator from NYS Dept. of Homeland Security, Mr. Scott Roman, Corland County Dept of Emergency Response and Communications, Fire Chief Charles Glover, Cortland Fire Dept., Senior Parole Officer Aaron Palm, SSA Michael Dubois, FBI, Chief Frank Fowler, Syracuse Police Dept., Chief Pete Tyler, Ithaca Police Dept., Sheriff Mark Helms, Cortland County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Kenneth Lansing, Tompkins County Sheriff's Office, and Sheriff David Harder, Broome County Sheriff's Office for the various forms off assistance given during the recent stand off at the Hampton Inn. 2. Chief Catalano received an invitation to the Kick-Off Breakfast to celebrate June Dairy Month at the Connie White Guest Home in Marathon. 3. Mr. Robert Patterson, Acting Administrator for US Dept. of Justice/DEA, sent a thank you letter to Chief Catalano for the efforts and partnership as demonstrated via Sgt. Michael Strangeway's work with the DEA. 4. Ms. Phyllis Bennett sent a letter of resignation from her position as a School Crossing Guard, effective June 21, 2018. Chief Catalano regretfully accepted her resignation. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – Comm. Sponaugle commended the department for the "job well done" in the recent standoff at the Ramada Inn. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 2018 at 3:15 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room. With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane L. Ferri Confidential Secretary 2