Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, February 15, 2024 6:00 PM West Allis Fire Department 7332 W. National Ave. REGULAR MEETING AND CLOSED SESSION A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Manthei called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Mark Manthei, Danielle Romain, Kimberly Cosby, Kurt Kopplin and Michelle Sutinen Also present: Police Chief Pat Mitchell, Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher - Police Department; Assistant Chief Jason Schaak - Fire Department; CAO Rebecca Grill, City Attorney Kail Decker - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the January 18, 2024 Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes as well as the January 25, 2024 and January 30, 2024 Special Meeting and Closed Session Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve all the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Cosby, Kopplin Abstain: 1, Commissioner Sutinen City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 3/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 15, 2024 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Communication: PFC interview date selection(s) for Police Officer candidates the week of April 8, 2024 Chief Mitchell stated that final stages of the recruitment process for police officer is underway and requested the Commissioners availability for three nights during the week of April 8, 2024. President Manthei asked the recording secretary to send out a doodle poll to determine the Commissioner's availability during that week. 2. Request for purchase approval: Safe Haven Defense Bullet and Riot Resistant Glass and Film A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the request to purchase as presented by Chief Mitchell. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Cosby, Kopplin and Sutinen Nay: 0 3. Police Department Financial Reports Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything noted in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell stated that recently promoted WAPD Detectives had the opportunity to shadow Milwaukee PD Detectives in their homicide and various other detective units during the month of January. Chief Mitchell stated that the Mayor and City Attorney offered additional money out of their 2024 budget to contribute to the purchase of five (5) additional flock cameras. He said that to date, four have been received and installed accordingly. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 5. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell discussed a recent carjacking that took place in late January. He stated that the victim was elderly but was able to call 911 after the incident. Chief Mitchell stated that the victim was very shaken up but otherwise unharmed. He noted that two suspects were arrested a short time after the incident and both were charged with armed robbery and numerous other charges relative to this incident. City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 3/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 15, 2024 Chief Mitchell noted that January 2023 robbery crime report number was affected by the recent robberies of speedway gas stations. He stated that all suspects involved in these robberies had been apprehended and charged appropriately. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 6. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell was pleased to announce that for the first time in a long time, the dispatch center was at full staff. He stated that currently there are nine full-time dispatchers and six supervisors. He noted that currently there are three part-time dispatchers and two individuals that are in the background phase of the hiring process. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 7. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell made note of recent partnership with MADAAC to feature one of their adoptable dogs twice a month on the department’s facebook page. He stated that the program is being headed by Sgt. Marla Martin. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 8. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell discussed a disturbing case involving two young children who were found to have cocaine in their system. He stated that one was a newborn and the other was a 5-year-old. Chief Mitchell stated that it was unclear how the children ingested the drug, but both parents are known drug users and were arrested and charged with child neglect. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Tavern Violations Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything included in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 10. Training Report Chief Mitchell stated that overall, all probationary police officers are progressing as expected in their training. He noted that the three officers who came to the department with previous police experience have completed their new officer training and have been assigned to field training. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 3/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 15, 2024 report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 3/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 15, 2024 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 11. Operations Division Report Assistant Chief Schaak reviewed the fire that was included in AC Scharfenberg’s report. He stated that the fire started in a bedroom after a candle was accidentally knocked over. AC Schaak stated that a resident of the home suffered burns on their body and hands but was expected to make a full recovery. AC Schaak then reviewed the benchmarks included in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 12. Bureau of Training and EMS Report AC Schaak reviewed with the Commissioners the three highlighted calls noted in DC Wright’s report. He also noted that training this month consisted of recertification for CPR and ACLS providers which took place over a 3-day period at the administrative offices. AC Schaak stated that DC Novak recently accepted a reassignment to Battalion Chief. He noted DC Novak was instrumental in creating the current EMS/Training Bureau and thanked him for his 4 years of service as Deputy Chief. AC Schaak reviewed the benchmarks included with this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 13. EMS Revenue Reports AC Schaak did not speak to anything included in these reports. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 14. QPR Performance Report AC Schaak stated that the dispatch center reached a 7% non-compliant rating this month which is essential to achieving and applying for accreditation status. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 15. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report AC Schaak shared with the Commissioners his experience while attending and presenting at the 2024 Ohio Deflection Summit. He stated that this summit affords attendees the opportunity to network with other teams regarding solutions to the ongoing opioid crisis. City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 3/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 15, 2024 AC Schaak also shared with the Commissioners a health and well-being initiative that focuses on fitness and healthy eating behaviors in the stations. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 16. Bureau of Fire Prevention and Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Report AC Schaak stated that 2024 marks the 38 year of the Survive Alive Program and this year the program was presented to 874 first and fourth-grade students within the West Allis/West Milwaukee school district. AC Schaak stated that the benchmark for smoke and CO detector installations has been moved to a quarterly benchmark vs. a monthly benchmark. He stated that a campaign is planned to take place once the weather warms up. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 17. Fire Department Financial Report AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 18. Master Plan Performance Snapshot AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 19. Communication: Resignation of a Firefighter AC Schaak stated that Firefighter Cory Baker resigned from the department after two years with the department. F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 20. PFC Financial Report The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments regarding this report and it was placed on file. 21. Closed Session: Discussion regarding an outside consultant’s findings on fire department operations. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 3/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 15, 2024 G. CLOSED SESSION For the above agenda item #21, the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners may convene in closed session, following completion of the open session agenda items, pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. section 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of considering the performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. The Board may reconvene into open session after completion of the closed session to consider the balance of the agenda . On a motion made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Cosby, the meeting convened into closed session at 7:03 pm On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 8:10 pm H. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm. All meetings of the Police and Fire Commission 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 7 Printed on 3/22/2024