Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, March 21, 2024 6:00 PM West Allis Police Department 11301 W. Lincoln 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, Kimberly Cosby, Kurt Kopplin and Michelle Sutinen Excused: Commissioner Danielle Romain Also present: Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Firefighter Quinn Dombrowski - Fire Department; Police Chief Pat Mitchell - Police Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the February 15, 2024 Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Cosby, Kopplin and Sutinen Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 4/19/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2024 D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler reviewed the fire incident included in AC Scharfenberg’s report. He stated that in addition to the fire incident, a water main break on the same property also occurred. Chief Pooler stated that the fire was quickly brought under control and the cause was attributed to an overheated electric space heater in one of the apartments. Chief Pooler then reviewed additional reports contained in AC Scharfenberg’s report to include February automatic aid and February benchmarks. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 2. Bureau of Training and EMS Report Chief Pooler reviewed the three highlighted calls included in this report. He stated that each call highlighted life-saving and quick-thinking action. Specifically, he spoke to a lock-in call that involved a teacher and a young group of students. Chief Pooler stated that the door latch to the classroom broke unexpectedly and trapped the group inside the classroom. He stated crews were able to open the door without damage and all inside were fine and in good spirits. Chief Pooler went on to briefly discuss the continued success of the dispatch center and stated that they have achieved eligibility to apply for accreditation. He stated once accreditation is achieved, the center will have access to a higher level of EMD codes that will serve to improve our response to emergency incidents. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 3. QPR Performance Report Chief Pooler stated that this report reiterated his statements above and again congratulated the dispatch center on their outstanding performance. Commissioner Sutinen asked how the dispatch center is recognized for their efforts and Chief Mitchell stated that Communications Manager Doreen Blattner is responsible for sharing this type of information with the staff. Chief Pooler stated that fire staff frequently reaches out to dispatch with their support as well. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 4. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Chief Pooler stated that AC Schaak and the MIH bureau continue to stay busy with speaking engagements to share the success of the department’s City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 4/19/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2024 MIH program as well as providing advice on starting a program within other local and out-of-state departments. Chief Pooler reviewed the benchmarks contained within this report and spoke briefly about Measure 3e referencing February’s drug overdoses. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 5. Bureau of Fire Prevention and Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Report Chief Pooler stated that 2024 required fire inspections continue to move forward with completion and/or follow-up as necessary. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 6. Fire Department Financial Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and the Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns. The report was placed on file. 7. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and the Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns. The report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 4/19/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2024 E. POLICE DEPARTMENT 8. Communication and discussion: Former police officer criminal conviction Chief Mitchell presented to the Commissioners an overview of a criminal complaint regarding a misconduct in public office charge against former WAPD Detective Phil Hartmann. Chief Mitchell stated that he was able to speak in open session regarding this charge as Mr. Hartmann was no longer an employee of the city. He stated that an investigation into Mr. Hartmann began after the arrest and release of an individual who then inquired about an envelope of cash that was in his car prior to his arrest. Chief Mitchell stated that after an internal investigation, it was determined that Mr. Hartmann had taken the envelope of cash but returned the money to the now victim after its absence was brought into question. He noted that further investigation revealed other similar instances of this type of theft by Mr. Hartmann. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Communication: Confirmation of police officer interview dates in April After a brief discussion with Chief Mitchell, Commissioner’s agreed on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 and Wednesday, April 10, 2024 to conduct the police officer candidate interviews. 10. Request for approval: Purchase of eight (8) fleet vehicles and necessary set-up equipment A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve this purchase request as presented by Chief Mitchell. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Cosby, Kopplin and Sutinen Nay: 0 11. Police Department Financial Report Chief Mitchell stated that given Commissioner Sutinen is new to the board, he explained that currently the overtime budget line is on budget but officers, while able to request OT payout throughout the year, will usually wait until November or December to do so. He stated that when these requests happen, it will be very apparent in the OT budget line. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 12. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell stated that with the recent termination of Mr. Hartmann and a police officer resignation, the current sworn staffing stands at 123 of 126 sworn positions available. He noted that with the completion of the current City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 4/19/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2024 hiring process, it is expected that those three vacant positions will be filled in the near future. Chief Mitchell stated that the purchase of the 10-year contract with Axon continues to benefit department personnel stating that recently, Lt. Kempinski and Sgt. Mathy received Master Taser Instructor training. Chief Mitchell stated that given this train the trainer capability, the department was able to recertify five current Taser instructors and certify two new trainers. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 13. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that the Flock camera program continues to produce benefits that far outweigh the cost of the program. He spoke specifically to a recent hit and run incident that occurred on Greenfield Avenue in early February. He stated that utilizing the Flock camera capabilities in conjunction with investigative work, the suspected driver of the car was identified, arrested, and charged accordingly. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 14. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that the Communications division is over halfway to full implementation of taking our 911 calls. He stated that 100% implementation is expected within the next two-three months. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 15. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell recognized the department’s neighborhood specialists, Mark Bykowski and Brian Mason. He stated that both are retired WAPD officers and are employed part-time to help combat and remove graffiti around the city as well as deploy speed trailers and assist with other general department related requirements. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 16. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell reviewed two high-profile incidents that occurred in February. He reviewed a shooting incident that outside a business located on Oklahoma Avenue. He stated that the suspect was an adult female who had created a disturbance inside the business initially and then after being escorted out, proceeded to her car, retrieved a gun and fired into the crowd that had gathered outside. Two suspects were taken into custody and City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 4/19/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2024 charged accordingly. Chief Mitchell then spoke to a recent scamming incident that an elderly couple fell prey too. He stated that the couple were scammed out of $18,000. Chief Mitchell stated that similar incidents had recently been reported and a sting operation was successful in the arrest of the individual responsible. He was happy to report that the couple were reimbursed their $18,000. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 17. Tavern Violations Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and the Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 18. Training Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything included in this report and the Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. The report was placed on file. F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 19. PFC Financial Report Commissioner Manthei questioned an overage noted in one of the budget line accounts and asked the reporting secretary to follow-up with finance to determine the cause. 20. Closed session: Discussion regarding an outside consultant’s findings on fire department operations For the above agenda item #20, the board may convene in closed session pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. section 19.85(1)(f) for the purpose of considering preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such problems. 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 Cosby and seconded by Commissioner Kopplin, the meeting convened into closed session at 7:20 pm. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 7:55 pm. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 4/19/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2024 G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:56 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 4/19/2024