Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION February 28, 2019 Minutes PRESENT: Commissioner James Sponaugle, Commissioner Eric Prior, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Chief F. Michael Catalano, Deputy Chief Paul Sandy and Secretary Diane Ferri. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on February 28, 2019 in the Mayor's Conference Room, City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland New York. Chairman James Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m. A. MINUTES – The minutes of the January meeting were accepted as written, and on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Prior, were approved for filing. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the January bills totaling $9,782.96 C. REPORTS – The following reports were highlighted: 1. YTD Budget Balances - The Commission reviewed the account lines and percentages expended with the Chief noting the new budget balances. 2. Overtime – Accumulated hours worked for the month of January totaled 879.75 hours, compared to 902.00 hours for the same period in 2018, reflecting a decrease of 22.25 hours from 2018. 3. Other Activities - Calls for service have increased by 490 compared to 2018. 4. SPCA Report - The SPCA report was reviewed with note of 21 complaints handled for the month, 3 after-hours, and 14 tickets issued. 5. Officers Activities Breakdown – Statistics highlighted by Chief Catalano noted low activities for the month but mentioned the fact the department is operating with vacancies. 6. Parking Tickets - Parking tickets issued for the month of January totaled 239, the lowest number issued for January. 7. Arrest Breakdown - The Chief reviewed this report with the Commission, noting penal law arrests have decreased by 30, as well as the grand total of all arrests, which have decreased by 164. OLD BUSINESS PERSONNEL – The Chief apprised the Commission of the following: A. Ptl. Bradley Laman has completed the Basic Academy in Syracuse and is now in Field Training on rotating shifts. B. The Awards Ceremony was held on 1/28, and Lt. Richard Troyer’s last day was January 30, 2019. 1 C. Background investigations have been completed on 2 candidates with a third investigation being completed today. All three will commence the Broome County Basic Police Academy on April 1. D. Ptl. Anthony Natoli was promoted to Uniform Sergeant, but with the shortage in the Uniform Division, all the Uniform Sergeants will fill in for patrols until the roster is full. The Detective Bureau will remain without 1 detective until the 3 new employees have completed their training. E. The Mayor and the Common Council have been reviewing the benefits historically awarded to the civilian staff. The Mayor had unilaterally discontinued some benefits of the civilian staff without consulting the Chief, notifying the civilian staff of the change, or discussing with the Common Council. Per the 1973 Resolution, benefits ascribed to the department union would also be given to Civilians. This resolution remains in effect, yet the Mayor has continued with this course of action. Discussion ensued and the Commissioners were encouraged to call their Alderperson. F. Another officer is considering transfer to Ithaca PD. G. Ptl. Melissa Eccleston remains out on Worker’s Compensation benefits with surgery scheduled for April 19. Light duty is being considered in order to provide her the opportunity to return to work. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to discuss. OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, CORRESPONDENCE REPORT - 1. Ptl. Trevor Wenz was awarded the Departmental Award, Officer of the Year for his exceptional achievements. 2. Ptl. Anthony Natoli, Ptl. Brendan Byrnes, Ptl. Trevor Wenz, Ptl. Jared Aiken, Ptl Stephen White, Sgt. Seth Rowland, each received a letter of commendation for their professionalism and devotion to duty during specific calls for service during 2018. 3. Ptl. Kenneth Bush, Ptl. Stephen White, Sgt. Sean Byrnes, Ptl. William Bernheim, Ptl. Trevor Wenz, Ptl. Jared Aiken, Ptl. Joseph Peters, Ptl. Anthony Natoli, Ptl. Chad Knapp, Ptl. Nathan Moran, Ptl. Clint Morse, Ptl. Derrick Edick, and Ptl. Benjamin Locke, each received at least one letter of commendation for life-saving administrations of Narcan while on a call. 4. Ptl. Patrick O’Donnell, Ptl. Derrick Edick, Ptl. Trevor Wenz, Ptl. Kyle Green, Ptl. Ryan Riley, Ptl. Jeffrey Fitts, Ptl. Brendan Byrnes, and Ptl. Tyler Williams each received Certificates of Commendation for outstanding police work and devotion to duty in 7 areas of police work. 5. Ms. Stephanie Wales and Mr. Michael Maniaci each received a letter from Chief Catalano confirming employment with the Police Department. 6. Ms. Mecke Nagel of the Untied Voices of Cortland sent a letter to Chief Catalano and the Police Commission, commending the department on various aspects of functionality and discouraged the continuance of the Awards Ceremony as it currently exists. 7. Chief Catalano sent Lt. Richard Troyer an acceptance of retirement letter. 2 B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – There were no comments. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 3:15 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room. With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Comm. Prior, Second by Comm. Hansen, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane L. Ferri Confidential Secretary 3