Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION August 30, 2022 PRESENT: Chairman Jim Sponaugle, Commissioner Liz Starr, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Commissioner Cheryl Michales, Commissioner Michael Whitlock, Chief Paul Sandy, Deputy Chief David Guerrera and Tracey Hatfield. Also present Kevin Smith and Tim Bennett from the Cortland Voice. Corporation Counsel A.J. Meldrim arrived late. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on August 30, 2022 in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall. Chairman Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. A. MINUTES –On the motion of Comm. Whitlock, second by Comm. Michales the Commission approved the minutes of the July meeting. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the July bills totaling $35,925.13 and were approved on the motion of Comm. Starr, second by Comm. Michales. C. REPORTS –The July reports as approved on the motion of Comm. Michales second by Comm. Starr were highlighted as follows: 1. Invoice list for month – Brief discussion of fuel line and ammo. 2. Year-To-Date Budget – Brief discussion of Live Scan and LPR’s. We will be using the funds in the Hazmat Safety line to purchase new gas masks. We were able to add an additional $2,200 to the Firearms line from the sale of old Tasers. The Criminal Justice line is gone for 2022. We have one Officer actively pursuing her degree and she will be graduating this year. 3. Training Report – Some individuals are having trouble logging into the NYMIR training site to complete their training. We are working to resolve this issue. 4. Vehicle Maintenance – Busy month. Car 16-brakes, car 17-compressor, car 18- alternator, alternator clutch, car 25-starter and battery, car 27-brakes, tires. Everything else routine. 5. Overtime/Sick Time Comparison –Sick time is up. 6. Overtime Breakdown– Short shift on par with last year. Should be coming down. Stop DWI/Downtown Detail back up. 7. Other Activities Report –Narcan calls holding steady. By the time we get the call, Narcan has usually already been administered. 8.SPCA Report –Every call handled by SPCA decreases the number of animal calls the CPD must handle. 1|Page  9. Detective Bureau Cases – No pistol permits this month; other case load is high. Brief discussion of the new gun laws. 10. Officers Injury Report – Nothing to report this month. 11. Officers Activities Report – Lots of time off in July. Day shift and Evening shift very busy. Night shift a little quieter. 12. Parking Ticket Report – Up over last year, but down compared to last month. We have backed off on writing tickets due to construction throughout the City. 13. Bike Patrol Report –Nothing to report. 14. Arrest Breakdown – Significant increase in DWI statistics for the year. Arrests are up but not significantly. OLD BUSINESS A. KNAPP-RETIREMENT – Still in progress. B. HOMELESS– We have been engaging them daily to seek assistance through DSS. Some refuse all help. We are making some headway, encampments in the City are now gone. This is a statewide issued, not just Cortland. C. POTENTIAL REINSTATEMENT OF 2ND OFFICER– In the works. We will most likely wait until he has been gone a year to avoid the seniority issues we had with the last re- hire. D. PART-TIME DESK DAYS – Working with Mayor Steve. This will be a civilian position. NEW BUSINESS A. 911 CEREMONY  Scheduled for Sunday 9/11 at 8:30 am, Courthouse Park. Cortland Voice will be live streaming the event. This is an excellent reminder of the people who passed on that day, as well as the people who continue to pass on due to health issues caused by 9/11. B. NEW EQUIPMENT-LPR’s  Noting to add from previous discussion. C. RECRUITS-RETURN/FTO 2|Page   2 graduated on Friday, August 26 from the Syracuse Academy. Will be in firearms training before starting FTO.  3 FTO’s in final stages, will be on their own next week (September 12) D. NEW HIRES  Did several background investigations; most were not a good fit.  We may have one Phase 1.  We need to hire 3-4. We have 2 possible retirements early next year.  We have a 19 year old we would like to hire but he can’t start at the Academy until he is 20. We may be able to hire him in November. Very mature individual.  COPS position on hold for now. E. PERSONNEL ISSUE UPDATE  Discussed during Executive Session. OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, and CORRESPONDENCE REPORT – nothing to discuss. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – no comments. ADJOURNMENT At the request of Comm. Hansen, a motion was made by Comm. Michales, second by Comm. Whitlock, to go into Executive Session at 10:10am to discuss Personnel matters. With no further business to discuss, the Commission came out of executive session on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Starr at 11:08 a.m. On the motion of Comm. Starr, second by Comm. Michales, the meeting was adjourned at 11:09 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Tracey Hatfield Sr. Account Clerk 3|Page