Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, February 18, 2021 6:00 PM West Allis Fire Department 7332 W. National Ave. REGULAR MEETING AND CLOSED SESSION A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Kopplin called the meeting to order at 6:06 pm B. ROLL CALL Present (in person): Commissioners Amy Heron, Danielle Romain and Kurt Kopplin Present (Zoom): Commissioner Mark Manthei Excused: Commissioner Kimberly Cosby Also Present (in person): Police Chief Patrick Mitchell - Police Department; Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Assistant Chief Jason Schaak, Deputy Chief Armando Suarez Del Real and Acting MIH Lieutenant Raechel Liska - Fire Department; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary Also Present (Zoom): Deputy Chief Chris Marks, Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher - Police Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the January 21, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes as well as the January 26, 2021 and January 27, 2021 Special Meeting and Closed Session Meeting Minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve all of the minutes as noted above and as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 3/19/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Communication: WAPD Police Officer Support Team - POST 2020 Annual Report Chief Mitchell submitted the 2020 Police Officer Support Team (POST) annual report for the Commissioners review. He stated that the POST program was created and implemented to assist officers in crisis through peer support and, when needed, advanced counseling. Chief Mitchell stated that this program is a great tool available to the staff and he is glad to be able to offer this program to the police department team. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 2. Request for Approval: Process for lateral hire of Police Officers Chief Mitchell reminded the Commissioners that at the January meeting, they were in agreement that he could move forward with presenting an approval request relative to lateral police officer hiring incentive. He stated that there would now be two eligibility lists moving forward, one consisting of those candidates who are not police officers and would need to go thru the police academy; and another specific to candidates already police officers. Chief Mitchell then described the timeline and process relative to the lateral hiring proposal and benefits. Chief Mitchell also stated that all officers, regardless of experience, are required to participate in training relative to methodology of report writing, department culture, use of body cameras and other West Allis PD specific training requirements. A motion was made by Commissioner Manthei and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Heron, Romain, Kopplin and Manthei Nay: 0 3. Request for approval: Begin Police Officer hiring process Chief Mitchell requested the Board’s approval to begin a Police Officer hiring process. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Heron to approve this request. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Heron, Romain, Manthei and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 3/19/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 4. Request for approval: Begin hiring process for part-time School Resource Officer Chief Mitchell requested approval to begin a hiring process for a part-time school resource officer. A motion was made by Commissioner Heron and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the request. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Heron, Romain, Manthei and Kopplin Nay: 0 5. Request for purchase approval: Axon Interview Room Camera system Chief Mitchell requested the Board’s approval to purchase (6) Axon interview room camera systems. Chief Mitchell stated that the cost would be paid out of the department’s Federal Equitable Sharing Account. A motion was made by Commissioner Heron and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the purchase as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Heron, Romain, Manthei and Kopplin Nay: 0 6. Police Department Financial Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 7. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell stated that COVID vaccinations for police staff began in mid-January and he noted that over 2/3 of employees, to date, have opted to receive the vaccination. Chief Mitchell briefly reviewed the current sworn staffing as well as an overview of the current status of the state forfeitures accounts. The Commissioners had no additional questions and the report was placed on file. 8. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell highlighted some high-profile incidents that took place in January: Ø Two road rage incidents with weapons pulled; arrests made; Ø Shooting at Spot Lite resulting in serious injury to a bouncer; arrest made; City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 3/19/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 Ø Robbery at a Speedway - suspect arrested and charged accordingly. 9. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained within this report and it was placed on file. 10. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained within this report and it was placed on file. 11. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that the theft of catalytic converters continues to be a problem not only in West Allis, but also surrounding counties and cities. He stated that most recently Muskego has experienced a rash of these thefts. He noted that there have been some arrests, but thefts continue thru multiple offenders and groups and scrap yards continue to purchase this stolen product. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 12. Tavern Violation Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained within this report and it was placed on file. 13. Training Report Chief Mitchell stated that several members attended a Defense and Arrest Tactics Instructor course at MATC. Chief Mitchell stated that he received a phone call from MATC noting the professionalism of those in attendance. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 3/19/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 14. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler stated that the fire incident in the report was attributed to discarded smoking material but the damage was minimal and the fire was brought under control within 10 minutes of arrival. He then highlighted some of the benchmarks contained in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 15. EMS Bureau Report Chief Pooler reviewed a call included in DC Novak’s EMS report. Chief Pooler stated that the patient was PNB when the call came in and working thru the EMD protocols in place, the dispatcher was able to guide the caller thru life-saving CPR actions. Chief Pooler also played a redacted dispatch audio of the call for the Commissioners. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 16. EMS Revenue Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report and it was placed on file. 17. QPR Monthly Report - January Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report and it was placed on file 18. Training Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that January training consisted of ice water rescue exercises, elevator emergency training and emergency medical training provided by members of the St. Luke’s cardiac team. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 19. Request for approval: Probationary Firefighters to permanent roster Chief Pooler stated that the following firefighters have completed their first year on as well as successfully completed required recruit training and requested approval from the Board to place them on the department’s permanent roster: Ø FF David Becker Ø FF Austin Flick Ø FF Humberto Hernandez Ø FF Duval Sanchez City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 3/19/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 Chief Pooler also noted that three of these recruits had previously been part of the intern program with the department. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this request as presented by Chief Pooler. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 20. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Chief Schaak stated that the department welcomed five interns to the department recently: Ø Alysha Olson Ø Peter Han Ø Ernesto Campos Ø Amanda Claro-Bevsek Ø Shayne Chelminiak He also reviewed Pulsepoint data included in his report as well as an overview of upcoming 2021 neighborhood safety campaigns in development. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 21. Fire Prevention Bureau Report Chief Schaak stated that the fire prevention bureau completed 685 inspections in January. He stated this was a great start to the year and helpful to get an early jump on inspections by taking advantage of staffing levels. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 22. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report Chief Armando Suarez Del Real stated that the MIH Bureau received a nice write-up in the January issue of The Municipality. Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 23. Communication: MIH program presentation Acting MIH Lieutenant Raechel Liska presented an overview of her MIH program initiative - safety and abuse. She stated that working in conjunction with Sojourner Peace Center, WAPD Sensitive Crimes bureau and various other available networks, her goal is to provide a level of stability City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 3/19/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 and care for those individuals that might otherwise be in danger. The Commissioners had no other questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 24. Fire Department Financial Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report and it was placed on file. 25. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report and it was placed on file. 26. Communication: COVID-19 vaccination update Chief Pooler stated that, to date, most of the department has received the first round of the COVID vaccination. F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 27. PFC Financial Report The financial report was placed on file. 28. Communication: Review of Police and Fire interview questions at March meeting Commissioner Kopplin stated that a closed session will be on the agenda for the March meeting relative to review of the fire and police department’s recruit interview questions. 29. Closed Session: Chief of Police annual performance evaluation and 2021 goal setting City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 3/19/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 G. CLOSED SESSION PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners of the City of West Allis will, upon conclusion of open session, consider and vote on a motion to convene in closed session at said time and place to conduct the Chief of Police annual performance evaluation and to set 2021 goals and to take such further action as may be necessary and appropriate in these matters. A closed session for the above purpose is authorized pursuant to the provision of Section 19.85 (1)(c) of the Wis. Stats., which authorizes a governmental body, upon motion duly made and carried, to convene in closed session for the purpose of considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility Immediately upon completion of the closed session, the Board of Police and Fire Commission will reconvene in open session at said time and place to consider any other matters on the agenda. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting convened into closed session at 7:39 pm. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 9:31 pm. H. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 9:31 pm. City of West Allis Page 8 Printed on 3/19/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 All meetings of the {bdName} are public meetings. In order for the general public to make comments at the committee meetings, the individual(s) must be scheduled (as an appearance) with the chair of the committee or the appropriate staff contact; otherwise, the meeting of the committee is a working session for the committee itself, and discussion by those in attendance is limited to committee members, the mayor, other alderpersons, staff and others that may be a party to the matter being discussed. NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The City of West Allis does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, age, marital or veterans' status, sex, national origin, disability or any other legally protected status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs or activities. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT NOTICE Upon reasonable notice the City will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services when necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and to enjoy the benefits of a service, program or activity provided by the City. LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY STATEMENT It is the policy of the City of West Allis to provide language access services to populations of persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) who are eligible to be served or likely to be directly affected by our programs. Such services will be focused on providing meaningful access to our programs, services and/or benefits. City of West Allis Page 9 Printed on 3/19/2021