Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION July 1, 2021 (rescheduled from June 24) PRESENT: Chairman Jim Sponaugle, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Chief Paul Sandy, Deputy Chief David Guerrera, and Tracey Hatfield.. Commissioner Elizabeth Starr was excused. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on July 1, 2021 in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall. Chairman Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 10:27 a.m. A. MINUTES – On the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Sponaugle the Commission approved the minutes of the May meeting. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the April bills totaling $15,319.35 and were approved on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Sponaugle. A brief discussion was had regarding the iTouch Biometrics invoice ($20,570) from March that remains unpaid. Most of the issues have been resolved and the invoice has been paid. C. REPORTS –The reports as approved on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Sponaugle, 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:  major repairs to Car# 27, under warranty.  Car #16 (K9 car) at the shop now; issues with the cooling system (which will be paid out of the K9 Fund).  Several cars were in for routine maintenance.  4 cars went in for tire repair-nails in tires. The PD will be patrolling the lot again as these are the same issues we had during the BLM protests, Troopers are also having this issue.  3 new cars came in; there were minor issues with registering the leased vehicles due to new rules put into place by New York State 3. Sick Time Comparison – The Commission reviewed this report. For liability reasons, Kim Lawrence remains on desk duty until July 19. She will be re-evaluated at that time. 4. Overtime – Various categories of overtime hours were reviewed. OT is leveling out.  Officers not participating in OT coverage will not be allowed time off to short a shift that will cause need for OT.  Court hours to increase next month with Clark Trial in session. 5. Other Activities Report –  Mental health calls are up 1|Page   DWI Patrol has been suspended for the summer due to staffing. Stops being made, not enough tickets being written.  Drug arrests are up during DWI stops.  Narcan calls/doses are up YTD  Ptl. Olson noted for highest # of calls  Chief noted some call activity low due to officers being on desk duty 6. SPCA Report – The SPCA report was reviewed, noting 184 complaints year-to-date and 49 after-hours calls. Chief is happy with the way the SPCA is handling animal calls. 7. Parking Tickets – Courtesy tickets have been eliminated. Overtime parking went back to 2 hour limits instead of 3. 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. 10. Arrest Breakdowns – Nothing notable to discuss, DWI’s are down. OLD BUSINESS A. POLICE COMMISSION – Still looking for more people, don’t want this pushed off until year end. Charbell Karam from Pita Gourmet has been in contact; no move made by Mayor as yet. Several names were mentioned as possibilities. B. GRIEVANCES– The Union is trying to force an MOU in regards to OT for Sergeants and will not withdraw the Grievance. This matter will go to Arbitration if headway isn’t made by July 2. The memorandum was approved by the Sgts. But not signed by the Union. This is not a collective bargaining issue. 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. ITOUCH-System is 99% complete, not working w/Records Management but this seems to be on the Records Management side, not iTouch. Minor adjustments needed. NEW BUSINESS A. ACCREDITATION- Moving along. A civilian contractor was hired for $14,000. A letter has been sent to the Accreditation Board for a 3 month extension. B. NEW HIRES- 1. Desk Position-still in the works 2. 3 New Officers 2022-Still in the works, gathering facts/figures. 2|Page  3. Recruitment Trainings-3 setup and advertised. Attended SUNY Job Fair and did some recruiting there. 4. Other  New recruit started June 24, not coming back  Still looking for lateral transfers from other Police Departments  Officer Abbott has announced his retirement OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, and CORRESPONDENCE REPORT – 1. A letter to the Editor from Joanna Ames, along with individual letters to Sgt. Edwards, Mones and Chief Sandy. 2. Letter from a citizen regarding a neighbors missing child. This neighbor commended all of the officers involved in the search; Sgt. O’Donnell, Officers Slater, Fiske, Maniaci and Fitts. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – There were no comments. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Sponaugle, the meeting was adjourned at 11:27 AM. Respectfully submitted, Tracey Hatfield Sr. Account Clerk 3|Page