Chief Frego commented the Town of St. John has signed the agreement with County reference the 911 Consolidation.
Councilman Gembala commented the Town of St. John was recently recognized as one of the “Top 20 Towns in the Country for Safest Place to Raise Children.” This information can be found on a website believed to be called “Nerve Wallet” out of California. Chief Frego advised the Town of St. John was recently rated the #4 safest town in the State of Indiana, and the #1 safest town in Lake County, Indiana.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
The May 2015 Regular Meeting of the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners of the Town of St. John was held on May 11, 2015 at 6:30 P.M., as advertised, pursuant to law.
Commissioner Hejl called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., and then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken with the following members of the Police Commission being present: Rose Hejl, Paul Haluska, Charles Sawyer, and Kevin Vana. Also present were Chief of Police Fred Frego and Town Councilman Kenneth Gembala. Commissioner Robert Long and Attorney David Austgen were absent.
Chief Frego further stated that Department has been in contact with ILEAC in Carmel, Indiana; namely Mike Dixon. The initial mock assessment will be done online through Power DMS. Chief Frego commented the ILEAC people in Carmel have access to all the documents the St. John Police Department has entered into Power DMS, and they can view and approve the proofs that are currently being gathered.
Chief Frego commented there are still a few officers who need to finish testing on the policies. Chief Frego advised everyone has to read all the policies and take the tests that follow as part of the proofs for the Accreditation.
Chief Frego said it has been a long process, but it is going along well. There were no questions from the Commissioners.
Chief Frego advised he is requesting to accept the next name on the Corporal’s Eligibility List, which is Michael Moffitt, and promote him to Corporal to fill the open spot. Chief Frego advised Officer Moffitt is a nine (9) year veteran, an excellent officer, has an excellent record, and he leads the department in arrests, and he is certainly deserving of this promotion.
Chief Frego stated he would also like to request the Commission’s approval to elevate Sergeant Demeter to the appointed rank of Commander. Chief Frego explained the rank of Commander is not a tested rank; it is an appointed rank granted by the Police Commission and himself. Chief Frego stated he recommends the Commission consider granting the appointment.
Commissioner Hejl advised she would entertain a motion to promote Officer Michael Moffitt to the rank of Corporal. Commissioner Haluska moved to promote Officer Michael Moffitt to the rank of Corporal. With a second by Commissioner Sawyer, the motion carried unanimously (4-0).
Commissioner Hejl stated she would entertain a motion to promote Sergeant Demeter to the rank of Commander. Discussion ensued to clarify that the rank of Commander is an appointed position, and not a permanent merit rank position. Commissioner Sawyer moved to promote Sergeant David Demeter to the rank of Commander. With a second by Commissioner Vana, the motion carried unanimously (4-0).
Chief Frego thanked the Commission.
Mr. Hero further inquired as to the status of all the lawsuits and allegations against the sworn officer. Commissioner Haluska also stated the Commission cannot comment on those matters.
Chief Frego then advised the Commission that Mr. Hero asked the same questions at the Town Council Meeting, and the response from the Town’s Attorney and the Town Council President was that we cannot discuss it because it is under litigation. Mr. Hero stated the Commission has given him no response. Commissioner Hejl stated the Commission has a response and it is, “No comment.”
Commissioner Sawyer stated they are going to proceed based on the advice of their attorney. Mr. Hero asked if the Commission’s attorney was Attorney Austgen. Commissioner Sawyer stated that was correct. Mr. Hero stated he got the answer that he expected.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Chairman
ATTEST:
________________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
A second to the Commissioner Haluska’s motion was made by Commissioner Sawyer. There were no items of discussion related to the motion or the matters contained above. Commissioner Haluska then took a roll call vote, the results of which are:
Commissioner Paul Haluska – Yes
Commissioner Robert Long – Absent
Commissioner Charles Sawyer – Yes
Commissioner Kevin Vana – Yes
Commissioner Rose Hejl – Yes
The motion carried unanimously (4-0). This matter is referred to the Town Council for its consideration and action.
Chairman Hejl read a quote from Abraham Lincoln, that being: “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” Chairman Hejl stated this quote reminds her of the essence of Chief Frego as he was while being here. She stated it reminds her of how proud Chief Frego is to be the Chief of St. John, how proud he is of his Department and staff. She stated Chief Frego is always involved in the community, the events, the people, businesses and churches. Chairman Hejl stated that as everyone knows, Chief Frego is retiring. She commented it is hard for her to be making this speech and saying goodbye but at the same time, she wanted to wish him well. Chairman Hejl stated she was here the day Chief Frego started in 2004 and through it all, Chief Frego has been someone this Town and his Department could rely on. She advised Chief Frego has had many accomplishments during his tenure; such as placing an SRO in the Lake Central High School, the Department is now Accredited, equipment upgrades, training for his officers and staff. Chairman Hejl stated she wanted to wish Chief Frego all the very best on behalf of the Commission, and advised he will be missed. A round of applause was held for Chief Frego.
Mr. Hero advised it is his understanding there are currently three (3) officers on suspension from the Police Department, and he asked whether that left a shortage of police officers for services in Town. Chief Frego advised they have addressed the coverage issue by cancelling, unfortunately, some vacation days off, but the staffing is adequate at this time. Mr. Hero stated in all the years that he has lived in St. John, he has never seen that many suspensions. Mr. Hero asked if there is some correlation or connection with those suspensions and with the allegations that have been filed by other employees. Is this retaliatory in anyway? Mr. Hero asked for any insight into his questions. Commissioner Hejl stated that they do not have any insight into this matter. Attorney Austgen advised these are all personnel items, and they should not be discussed at this meeting. Mr. Hero stated it was a matter of public interest as to why there are three (3) suspensions. It seems like a very high amount, and Mr. Hero stated he is trying to figure out if there is a correlation between those suspensions and other maybe prohibitive activities that have been going on in the Police Department or Town. Mr. Hero asked whether the Commission would comment on this matter, and the Commission advised they were not going to comment.
Mr. Hero asked whether the new chief has been informed of all the allegations that have gone on by different people reference ticket fixing, and inappropriate happenings in the Police Department. Further, has the new chief been informed of all the investigations that have been going on, and does he understand what he is getting into when he comes here as Chief? Commissioner Hejl stated she does not know what the Town Council has spoken to the new chief about, so she could not answer that question. Mr. Hero asked whether the Police Commission has made the new chief aware of all the allegations that have been brought forward. Commissioner Haluska advised Mr. Kveton was pretty well aware of the allegations when he did his final interview before the Town Council and the Police Commission. Commissioner Haluska advised the new chief has a good idea of what it is going on as he (the new chief) has done his research, and he has done his homework. Commissioner Haluska felt the new chief was very well aware of everything that is going on. Mr. Hero asked how the new chief obtained his information. Did the new chief get his information from the Town Council or the Police Commission (or somebody that is a public official)? Commissioner Haluska stated he did not know exactly how the new chief obtained his information, but he suspects it was the Town Council that alerted him to what was going on, because the new chief made reference, in general terms, to some of the situations during his interview. Commissioner Haluska also advised that the new chief has been spending a considerable amount of time in Town talking to people, driving around, and getting to know things. Further, Commissioner Haluska stated this new chief is a cop, and he knows how to do an investigation. Mr. Hero asked Commissioner Haluska whether Mr. Kveton was fully prepared to take on these problems. Commissioner Haluska replied, “I certainly hope so.” Mr. Hero stated he felt it was most important that the new chief knows what he is getting in to. Mr. Hero thanked the Commission for their time.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary