Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION May 27, 2021 Minutes PRESENT: Chairman Jim Sponaugle, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Commissioner Liz Starr, Chief Paul Sandy, Tracey Hatfield and Diane Ferri. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on May 27, 2021 in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall. Chairman Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. A. MINUTES – On the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Starr the Commission approved the minutes of the April meeting. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the April bills totaling $37,933.638 and were approved on the motion of Comm. Starr, second by Comm. Hansen. A brief discussed was had regarding the iTouch Biometrics invoice ($20,570) from March that remains unpaid. The Chief explained there were still issues that need to be resolved with the system before the invoice will be paid. C. REPORTS –The reports as approved on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Starr, were highlighted as follows: 1. Year-To-Date Budget – The Chief reviewed the new budget figures with the Commission. 2. Vehicle Maintenance – The Commission reviewed the report; a short discussion was had regarding the 3 new leased vehicles being assigned to DC Guerrera, Sgt. Byrnes and Sgt. Edwards. Former Chief Catalano’s vehicle has been assigned to Lt. Cute The new vehicles were sent to Bush Electronics to be outfitted. We also bought out the leases of three 2017 vehicles for $21,000. 3. Sick Time Comparison – The Commission reviewed this report, no issues noted. 4. Overtime – Various categories of overtime hours were reviewed. 5. Other Activities Report – The Chief pointed out the continued low Service Request Calls with the exception being Domestic Incidents and Mental Health reports. 6. SPCA Report – The SPCA report was reviewed, noting 147 complaints year-to-date and 34 after-hours calls. 7. Parking Tickets – Nothing notable to discuss. 8. Detective Bureau Cases – A variety of crimes investigated by the Detective Bureau for the month were reviewed by the Commission. 9. Officers Injury Report – A brief discussion was had regarding a knee injury for Cadet Harden. 1|Page  10. Arrest Breakdowns – A brief discussion was had regarding the 93 warrants that were recalled. This was due to court getting caught back up on the backlog due to Covid closure. OLD BUSINESS A. PERSONNEL UPDATES – 1. New Hires – A. The Chief updated the Commission on the current personnel status within the Department. Four of the five new employees began the Basic Police Academy on April 29. The fifth employee, Dylan Ryan, had unknown medical issues, which need to be resolved. As of the May meeting, he was not fully recovered yet. Possibly planning to join the Syracuse Academy June 28, or Phase I of Cazenovia Academy in September. B. Interviews were held on 5/26 for lateral transfers. 2. Grievances -- The Chief apprised the Commission of the status of the two grievances; at this time, neither are resolved. B. SCHEDULE – The Chief noted an extension was requested by Corporation Counsel to work out a resolution for the OT issue with Sergeants covering Patrol shifts. C. VEHICLES – The Chief updated the Commission on the status of the purchase of new vehicles, the leasing arrangements to be made and the transfer of vehicles within the Detective Bureau and command staff. D. LOCAL LAW – The Chief described changes to the City of Cortland Local Law requiring the number of Police Commissioners to be changed from 3 to 5; at this time one recommendation will be presented to the Common Council. The owner of Pita Gourmet discussed this with the Mayor. Still looking for recommendations for a second candidate. It was suggested the last candidate should be someone young, to bring a different perspective to the Commission. There is a push to complete this before the Election. E. HIRING – “Lateral transfer” interviews were held on 5/26. There were no candidates hired. F. OUTREACH – The Chief apprised the Commission of a meeting with the DA, SUNY, NYSP and the County regarding training to rejuvenate Drug Task Force. The DA is in charge of the DTF. NEW BUSINESS A. Grants – There are 2 new grants available; School Violence and another COPS Grant. Working to refund the SRO and COPS position. B. Body Cameras – The Chief is not opposed to body cameras. The Mayor is considering adding body cams as part of the $1M grant the city received. Body cameras will cost the Department $100,000+ per year, plus a new IT person dedicated to the maintenance of the cameras (monitoring, maintaining, updating). 2|Page  . OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, and CORRESPONDENCE REPORT – 1. A letter was received from Frank Kelly commending Officer Peters and Officer Saladino for their treatment of a mentally ill woman who had entered their home through an unlocked door. 2. The Drug Take Back Event on April 24 resulted in 716.5 pound of drugs being collected. 3. There is a Cardiac Testing Event scheduled on June 3 and 4 at the Sheriff’s Department. An invitation has been extended to the CPD and their spouses. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – There were no comments. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Comm. Starr, second by Comm. Hansen, the meeting was adjourned at 11:24 PM. Respectfully submitted, Tracey Hatfield Sr. Account Clerk 3|Page