Southern Police Commission
Monthly Meeting

December 2, 2009

 A public meeting of the Southern Police Commission was held on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at the New Freedom Borough Council Chambers, 49 East High Street, New Freedom PA 17349.

 Those present: Richard Buchanan Chairman, John Peters Commissioner, John LaMartina Commissioner, Edward Tinder Commissioner, James Reedy Commissioner, Edward Molinsky Commissioner, James C. Childs, III Chief of Police and Solicitor Chuck Patterson. 

 Those absent: Larry Flemmens Vice Chairman, Jeff   Joy Commissioner and Ronald McCullough Commissioner.

 Chairman Richard Buchanan called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

 Pledge of Allegiance

 PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 No public comments.

 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 2009

Chairman Richard Buchanan asked for a motion to approve the minutes of November 4, 2009.  Commissioner Edward Tinder made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner James Reedy.  Motion carried. 

REVIEW OF EXPENDITURES FOR NOVEMBER 2009

Commissioner Edward Molinsky asked why sick leave was more than usual and Administrative Assistant Patricia Miller explained that all of Sergeant Geary’s time is now sick leave.

After members reviewed the expenditures from November, Commissioner Edward Molinsky made a motion to approve checks 6890 through 6923 and expenditures totaling $95,765.91.  Commissioner Edward Tinder seconded that motion, motion carried.  

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chairman Richard Buchanan reported that contract negotiations have broken down and the officers have elected to work under the old contract.  They failed to file the proper paperwork and cannot go to arbitration.  They can go to arbitration in 2011.  The reason they did not accept the proposed contract because of the health insurance co-pay.  The co-pay is as follows:  2010 6% which is $28.00 per pay or $729.00 annually, 2011 9% which is $42.00 per pay or $1,096.00 annually and 2012 12% which is $56.00 per pay or $1,460 annually.  There are no meetings scheduled but either party can request to meet at any time.  Commissioner Edward Molinsky made a motion for no adjustments to be made to 2010’s budget and to suspend the 3% pay increase.  Commissioner John LaMartina seconded that motion, motion carried. 

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT:

Chief Childs reported that during the month of October  2009 Officers responded to 105 calls in Shrewsbury, 83 calls in New Freedom, 16 calls at the Southern York County School District, 51 calls in Glen Rock, 9 calls in Railroad and 8 calls outside our jurisdiction.

Chief Childs explained that calls to the school district have decreased because the school officer is handling more calls.  He also pointed out that calls in Railroad have increased. 

During the month of October 486.06 hours were spent in Shrewsbury, 283.35 were spent in New Freedom, 37.31 were spent in the school district, 141.26 hours were spent in Glen Rock, 11.17 hours were spent in Railroad and 9.16 hours were spent outside our jurisdiction.

Chief Childs has scheduled two officers to the Glen Rock Christmas Caroler detail on Christmas Eve.  He also wanted the record to reflect that it was not the Southern Regional Police Department’s responsibility that the fire police for the tree lighting ceremony in New Freedom were late.  He also reported that an individual from New Freedom was telling people that it was the police department’s fault that the fire police were not there.  Commissioner Edward Molinsky spoke to that individual and explained that it was not the police department’s responsibility to have the fire police there.

Chief Childs reported that 4273 was damaged due to Officer Teague hitting a deer on Monday, November 30th. 

Chief Childs is still on light duty and Chairman Buchanan agreed that he does not have to wear a uniform but he will carry his gun.  Officer Ames-Brooker will be out for approximately 8 to 10 weeks and Detective Shafer injured his back.  Overtime hours will increase and Officer Hornberger has agreed to increase his hours.  Chairman Buchanan suggested that we hire more part-time officers and Chief Childs informed him that because we are Civil Service we cannot hire anyone until the Consortium gives the test in April. 

Chief Childs asked Administrative Assistant Patricia Miller to read a letter from Thomas Armstrong of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.  The letter contained the results of the oral interviews for the Sergeant’s position which were held on Monday, November 23, 2009.  Detective Shafer scored 82.22% and Officer Smuck scored 88.18%.  The oral interviews counted as 30% of the overall score and the written exam counted as the remaining 70%.  Officer Smuck is acting Sergeant beginning November 30, 2009 and will be promoted to Sergeant on January 6, 2010, which is the next Commission meeting.  All officers will be present for the swearing in which will be conducted by Magisterial Judge Reamer and must wear Class A uniforms.  At this meeting the commission members will have their pictures taken for the webpage. 

Chief Childs reported that when he purchased the new pick-up truck he ordered a GPS system but he failed to notify the commission.  The GPS was purchased for $475.00 which allows him to track the vehicle as to where it is, how long it was at a certain location, how fast an officer was driving the vehicle, and it would also remind him of maintenance that is due on the vehicle.  He will also be able to provide the commission with detailed reports and can set parameters and be notified when an officer goes beyond those parameters that he set.  The air time for this GPS is $30.85 per month per vehicle.  He also asked the Commission to consider putting this GPS in all of the department’s vehicles except for his since he always knows where his vehicle is and he makes sure his vehicle gets the proper maintenance.  After some discussion Commissioner Edward Molinsky made a motion to purchase the air time for the GPS just for the pick-up truck and in August Chief Childs must give a detailed report of all the data he has collected from this GPS.  After reviewing the report, the Police Commission will then decide to spend approximately $5,916.40 to equip the remaining vehicles excluding the Chief’s vehicle with this system.  Commissioner Edward Tinder seconded that motion, motion carried.

Chief Childs reported that Officer Teague and Detective Goodfellow have been working diligently on the armed robbery and shooting at Alexander’s Jewelry.  He also reported that there were break-ins at the Coach Light Restaurant, Choice Outlet, Carpets by Martin and Southern York Turf and Tractor. 

Chief Childs is still on light duty, Lieutenant Boddington is on vacation, Officer Ames-Brooker is scheduled to have surgery and Detective Shafer injured his back.   This will most likely increase overtime. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

No committee reports.

FINANCE AND BUDGET

Chairman Richard Buchanan reported that we are at 93.7% of the budget.  He also reported that Railroad Borough is 43.8% over budget and that the school district is under budget.  Vehicle maintenance is high but we will be reimbursed for the vehicle that Officer Blais wrecked. 

Tonight is Mayor Reedy’s last official Commission meeting.  Chairman Richard Buchanan invited Mayor Reedy to come back anytime and that he will be recognized at the department’s awards ceremony.   Mayor Reedy is the only original Commission member who served on the Commission from 1992 until 2009.  Congratulations to Mayor Reedy!!!!!!!!

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

No report.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Solicitor Patterson thanked the Commission for allowing him to serve on the Commission since 1992.  He promised to make an appearance at meetings now and then.  He then went on to recommend his partner of 20 years, Clarence Allen, Esquire to take his place as solicitor.  Commissioner Edward Molinsky made a motion based on Solicitor Patterson’s recommendation that the Southern Police Commission hire Attorney Clarence Allen effective January 1, 2010 as their next solicitor.   Commissioner Edward Tinder seconded that motion, motion carried. 

Chairman Richard Buchanan also invited Solicitor Patterson to attend the awards ceremony so that the Police Commission can recognize him at this time.

OLD BUSINESS

No old business.

 NEW BUSINESS

No new business.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

An executive session was called at 8:10 to discuss contract negotiations and personnel matters and it ended at 8:40 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Commissioner Edward Tinder, seconded by Commissioner John LaMartina to adjourn at 8:41 p.m., motion carried.

Respectfully submitted and recorded by

Patricia Ann Miller

Administrative Assistant