Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES January 29, 2024 PRESENT: Chairman Jim Sponaugle, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Commissioner Michael Whitlock, Commissioner Cheryl Michales, Chief Paul Sandy, Deputy Chief David Guerrera and Tracey Hatfield. Commissioner Liz Starr was excused. Kevin Smith from the Cortland Voice was also present. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on Monday, January 29, 2024 in the Main Conference Room at the Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. A. MINUTES – On the motion of Comm. Whitlock, second by Comm. Hansen the Commission approved the minutes of the December meeting. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the December bills totaling $50,194.45 and were approved on the motion of Comm. Michales second by Comm. Hansen. C. REPORTS –The December reports as approved on the motion of Comm. Hansen second by Comm. Michales were highlighted as follows: 1. Invoice list for month – Brief discussion of vehicle maintenance, tires, clothing allowances. 2. Year-To-Date Budget – Brief discussion of overall budget. 3. Training Report –No updates this month. 4. Vehicle Maintenance – Brief discussion of the high maintenance costs for some of the older vehicles. 5. Overtime/Sick Time Comparison –Brief discussion of overtime savings due to younger officers picking up most of the overtime shifts. 6. Overtime Breakdown– Almost $2,100 down overall compared to 2022; $1,800 of that in short shift overtime. Sgt. short shift overtime up, street coverage up. 7. Other Activities Report –2,258 more calls than in 2022. Over 20,000 calls in 2023. Mental health calls up again in December. 1|Page  8. Animal Report –Overall calls down almost 200 calls in 2023 versus SPCA numbers in 2022 (640 vs. 835). Overall savings around $60,000. 9. Detective Bureau Cases –Nothing notable to discuss. 10. Officers Injury Report – Nothing notable to discuss. 11. Officers Activities Report – Nothing notable to discuss. 12. Parking Ticket Report – Parking tickets still down due to construction on Main Street. 13. Bike Patrol Report –Nothing to report for December. 14. Arrest Breakdown –Arrests down. OLD BUSINESS A. BODY WORN CAMERA-AXON SCHEDULE  Cameras just arrived  Training starting in February  Holders still need to be purchased for each officer  There are multiple holder styles available; samples of each are coming for officers to test B. COPS GRANT  Still waiting to receive the funds C. LE TECH GRANT  Still waiting to see if we were awarded money from the Grant  Decision has been delayed, hope to hear in February D. SHOP WITH A COP  Ended up doing five shopping sessions  Almost 60 kids participated E. NO SHAVE NOVEMBER  $12,000 raised  Half sent to Paige’s Butterflies and half sent to Griffin’s Guardians F. SHIFT BIDS  Shift bids are done  Bids had to be re-done due to lost arbitration relating to seniority of one officer 2|Page G. SEAN’S K9’S  Paid for the entire cost of the new bite suit for Officer Perkins NEW BUSINESS A. ST. BALDRICK’S  Each participating officer is collecting new donations to keep beards through the St. Baldrick’s event scheduled for March 9, 2024 B. NEW POLICE VEHICLES  Two new leases coming in, should be here by the end of next week  These will be replacing two 2017 leased vehicles that were bought out (unmarked)  We will sell the two 2017 unmarked vehicles  A new 2024 pickup truck has been ordered  Two of our 2023 vehicles are being equipped now C. DONATION-SAFETY EQUIPMENT  Cortland Community Foundation donated $5,000+ for safety equipment  Individual safety shields have been purchased for each Patrol vehicle D. NEW HIRES  Four new officers hired  Three started Southern Tier Academy on January 22  Fourth new hire will start at the Broome Academy in March  He is assisting in Records until the Academy starts E. AUCTION ITEMS  We will again be selling surplus vehicles from the impound lot F. PERSONNEL ISSUE UPDATE  Executive Session OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, and CORRESPONDENCE REPORT – Nothing to add. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – Nothing to add. 3|Page ADJOURNMENT At the request of Chief Sandy, a motion was made by Comm. Whitlock, second by Comm. Michales to go into Executive Session at 9:49 a.m. to discuss Personnel matters. Tracey, Chief Sandy and DC Guerrera were excused. The Mayor and Corporation Counsel arrived to speak with the Police Commission. With no further business to discuss, the Commission came out of Executive Session on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Whitlock at 12:25 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m. on the motion of Comm. Michales, second by Comm. Whitlock. Respectfully submitted, Tracey Hatfield Confidential Secretary 4|Page