Police Civil Service Commission

MICHIGAN CITY POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES September 18, 2019 The Police Civil Service Commission of Michigan City, Indiana, held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday September 18, 2019 in the Community Room located at 1201 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City, Indiana. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM - A quorum was present to conduct business. CALL TO ORDER - Commissioner Michael Palmer called the meeting to order at 11:00 AM. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS - Present: Commissioners Michael Palmer and Michael Buda. John Pliske was absent. Also, present: Police Chief Mark Swistek; Assistant Chief Royce Williams; Assistant Chief Kevin Urbanczyk; Division of Professional Standard Chris Yagelski; Attorney John Espar and Commission Secretary Jennifer Clouse. CORPORAL RANK PROMOTION-Commissioner Palmer announced that Officer Willie Henderson would be promoted to rank of Corporal effective August 17, 2019. Commissioner Buda made the motion to promote Officer Willie Henderson to the rank of Corporal effective August 17, 2019. The motion was seconded by Commission Palmer. Motion Carried 2-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Commissioner Buda made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 14, 2019 Regular Meeting; August 24, 2019 Special Meeting; August 26, 2019 Special Meeting; August 26, 2019 Swearing-In Ceremony and August 27, 2019 Special Meeting Minutes.. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Palmer. Motion carried 2-0. OLD BUSINESS APPLICANTS IN PROCESS POLYGRAPH: There are fifteen (15) applicants in Polygraph. There are seven (7) back and will be discussed at the meeting to follow. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: There are fifteen (15) applicants in Background. These should be completed by the end of next week. PHYSICAL/PSYCH: There are zero (0) applicant in physical/psych. PERF: There are zero (0) applicant in PERF. PROBATIONARY OFFICER REPORT 1 ♦ Officer Galetti has been riding solo and remains on the shift 2. ♦ Officers Ortega and Murray have graduated from the academy on September 5, 2019; they will complete Phase 4 of the FTO program on October 5, 2019; Officer Murray is on Shift 2 while Officer Ortega is on Shift 3. ♦ Officer Revoir has been riding solo and remains on Shift 3. ♦ Officers Alvarez, Foster, Lozano, Wenzel and Wells have started the academy on September 16, 2019 and are scheduled to graduate on December 27, 2019. ♦ Officers Lewis and McDaniel will start the academy on January 13, 2020, they are currently in the FTO program on the midnight shift. NEW BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE- Commissioner Buda read the following correspondence: ♦ Letter from applicant Coltyn Nowatzke withdrawing from the application. ♦ Email from Lt. Jesse regarding a phone call form Ms. Sandy Feldman from Lakeside, Michigan complimenting Officer Louis Gallegos for assisting them after they were involved in an accident and their vehicle was disabled. She wanted to make sure that the department knew how great of an officer he was. As she stated, he was resourceful, respectful, smart, bright, good hearted and well trained. ♦ Resignation letter from Officer Michael Jordan Wooten effective with the close of business on September 4, 2019. ♦ Resignation letter from Probationary Officer Cody Brzezinski effective with the close of business on August 26, 2019. ♦ Discipline matter from Capt. Jesse. ♦ Claims to be paid totaling $888.30. Motion by Commissioner Buda and seconded by Commissioner Palmer to pay the claims totaling $888.30 Motion Carried 2-0. Motion by Commissioner Buda and seconded by Commissioner Palmer to accept the resignations of Officer Jordan Wooten and Probationary Officer Cody Brzezinski. Motion Carried 2-0. PAST PERFORMANCE RATING JAN 1 – JUNE 30, 2019 ♦ Chief Swistek stated that the Past Performances have been sent to the Commanders and should be to the commission in two weeks. APPLIANT TESTING DATE- ♦ Commissioner Palmer stated that the commission will discuss at the special meeting an applicant testing date for October, being either the 5th or 12th. 2 REPORT FROM CHIEF SWISTEK ♦ Chief Swistek gave an update about a survey that was recently released regarding hiring and keeping employees; key elements in this survey were; a) decreased applicant poo b) early exits c) high rates of retirement ♦ The commission voiced their concerns about the recent council meeting and the request to form a “Citizens Review Board”; the commission did not feel this was necessary and would ask to meet with the council to discuss this. REPORT FROM ASSISTANT CHIEFS ♦ Assistant Chief Kevin Urbanczyk stated the on behalf of the men and women of the department, they do appreciate the support of the commission. ♦ Assistant Chief Royce Williams congratulated Officer Willie Henderson on his promotion. DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARD ♦ Sgt. Chris Yagelski thanked the commission for all the help; he also thanked the FTO Officers for all their help with the new officers and the backgrounds. ♦ October 1 – 23, 2019 would be the Physical Fitness. ♦ The 9th Annual Citizen Police Academy would begin this Thursday. ♦ Probationary Officers McDaniel and Lewis are going well. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS: ♦ The Commissioners congratulated Officer Willie Henderson on his promotion to Corporal. REPORT FROM COMMISSION ATTORNEY: ♦ Attorney Espar talked about an email that was received from the Sheriff regarding hiring veterans. ♦ Congratulations to Officer Willie Henderson on his promotion. ♦ Provided comments about the Citizens Review Board. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL: ♦ Absent REPORT FROM FOP: ♦ Absent PUBLIC COMMENT: ♦ Absent Next meeting date is scheduled for October 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Community Room. 3 Meeting adjourned at 11:39 a.m. on motion by Commissioner Buda and seconded by Commissioner Palmer. Motion Carried 2-0. ______________________________________ John Pliske, Secretary ATTEST: _____________________________ Michael Palmer, President 4