Southern Police Commission
Monthly Meeting

April 21, 2010

A public meeting of the Southern Police Commission was held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 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, Jeff Joy Commissioner, Jeff Halapin Commissioner, James C. Childs, III Chief of Police, Edward Tinder Commissioner and Solicitor Clarence Allen. 

 Those absent: Peter Schnabel Commissioner, Ronald McCullough Commissioner and Richard Zambito Commissioner.

 Chairman Richard Buchanan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

 Pledge of Allegiance

 PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 No public comments. 

 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 2010

Chairman Richard Buchanan asked for a motion to approve the minutes of March 3, 2010.  After reviewing the minutes Commissioner John LaMartina made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Joy.  Motion carried. 

REVIEW OF EXPENDITURES FOR MARCH 2010

After members reviewed the expenditures from March, Commissioner Edward Tinder made a motion to approve checks 7056 through 7099 and expenditures totaling $113,253.14.  Commissioner John LaMartina seconded that motion, motion carried.  

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chairman Richard Buchanan met with Glen Rock Council to review the budget.  He explained to the council members that the 2011 budget will definitely increase but the commission will do its best to keep the costs down. 

Chairman Richard Buchanan spoke with Representative Ron Miller regarding the new legislation that is being introduced to make jurisdictions that are currently covered by the State Police to pay for those services.  If this bill is passed the municipalities will pay a small amount the first year and it will increase the second and third years. 

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT:

Chief Childs presented that K-9 Officer Sean Siggins with a plaque signifying K-9 Jack’s retirement.   K-9 Jack will be replaced by K-9 Aniken who was certified by Tarheels Kennels.  Officer Siggins brought K-9 Aniken in and introduced him to the Police Commission.  Chief Childs is applying for a grant to offset the cost of the K-9.

Chairman Richard Buchanan distributed a chart to the Commission members showing them the amount of patrol time spent in each jurisdiction.  Shrewsbury had an increase of 4.19%, New Freedom had a decrease of 2.87% and Glen Rock had a decrease of 1.32%.  The Southern York County School District had an increase in time in February due to the car fires and the King of Hearts Dance issues.

During the month of February officers responded to 81 calls in Shrewsbury, 107 in New Freedom, 9 in Southern York County School District, 43 in Glen Rock, 4 in Railroad and 5 outside our jurisdiction. 

During the month of February 310.35 hours were spent in Shrewsbury, 259.03 were spent in New Freedom, 108.26 were spent in the school district, 151.05 hours were spent in Glen Rock, 7.05 hours were spent in Railroad and 8.46 hours were spent outside our jurisdiction.

Chief Childs explained that when the officers respond to calls in Shrewsbury Township that some people feel that the police department should send them a bill but that would allow them to continue calling us for police services and they would then have no reason to consider purchasing our services on a full time basis.  Chief Childs has been talking to Shrewsbury Township, Hopewell Township and Stewartstown about joining the Southern Regional Police Department.

Chief Childs met with the school district and the Human Relations Commission on April 21 to discuss the issues the school is experiencing between black and white students.  The school district is having a Cultural Diversity Training Seminar.  Solicitor Allen explained the importance of in-car cameras for this type of situation.  That way the department has documentation of what actually occurred.  Chief Childs has scheduled a meeting with the Police Chaplains and the school district to see how they could play a role in these situations.  Solicitor Allen requested that he attend this meeting also.

Chief Childs reported that he is still on light duty and is not planning on retiring or going out on disability.  He should get a better idea when he can return to full duty at his next doctor’s appointment which is scheduled in May.

Chief Childs reported that the State Police has their radar guns and speedometers calibrated once a year but regular police departments must have their stop watches and ESP machines calibrated six times a year.  This costs the Southern Regional Police Department approximately $800.00 a year.  The PA Chiefs of Police Association is trying to get this changed so that the regular police departments have their equipment calibrated once a year.  He also pointed out that the State Police receives funding from traffic citations even those issued by regular police departments.

Commissioner Jeff Halapin asked if the Letter of Intent for the Peer to Peer Review was ever sent out.  Commissioner Edward Tinder made a motion for a Letter of Intent be filled out and sent on April 22, 2010.   Jeff Halapin seconded that motion, all commission members present voted for this motion except Chairman Richard Buchanan who voted against this motion.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 No Committee reports.

 FINANCE AND BUDGET

 There was no discussion for the finance and budget reports.

 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

 Chief Childs is in the process of completing a grant for the bullet proof vests. 

 SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 No solicitor’s report. 

 OLD BUSINESS

Chief Childs asked the Commission to ask their borough council members to consider waiving the requirement that mandates the Police Department to have a Civil Service Commission.  He explained to the Commission the limitations this puts on who the police department can hire  because the Civil Service Commission requires that the police department must hire the candidate that scores the highest on the test.  It also requires that an individual who served in the armed services gets an additional ten points added to their total score. 

Chairman Richard Buchanan gave an update on the union negotiations.  He explained that the union withdrew their latest proposal and that if they come back with another proposal it will not be retroactive to the beginning of the year.

NEW BUSINESS

Chairman Richard Buchanan reported that Detective Goodfellow needs to purchase an additional server to accommodate Alert II.  Commissioner Edward Tinder made a motion to allow Detective Goodfellow to purchase the new server not to exceed $4,000.00 and Jeff Halapin seconded that motion.  Motion carried. 

Administrative Assistant Miller attended the Intergovernmental Insurance Cooperative (IIC) meeting earlier today.  The Southern Regional Police Department received a rebate check in the amount of $4,767.00 for ¾ of 2009.  She also participated in IIC Life/Disability Provider Analysis and the IIC has decided to go with Hartford Insurance which would save the Southern Police Department 15% on their Life/Short and Long Term Disability Insurance.  This savings would continue for a period of three years.  She also explained how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will impact IIC’s local government cooperatives.  Commissioner Edward Tinder made a motion to use $4,000.00 from the insurance rebate to purchase the new server and Jeff Halapin seconded that motion.  Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

An executive session was called to order at 8:45 p.m. and ended at 9:40 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Commissioner Jeff Joy, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Halapin to adjourn at 9:41 p.m., motion carried.

Respectfully submitted and recorded by

Patricia Ann Miller

Administrative Assistant