2022-10-03 - Board of Fire and Police Commissioners - Minutes VILLAGE OF
BUFFALO GROVE
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VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE
Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Village Hall Emergency Operations Center
October 3, 2022
CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL:
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM by Chairman Berman. Chairman Berman called the
roll & noted for the record that a quorum was present for the meeting. Present at Village Hall were
Commissioners Fishman, Blumenthal and McKee. Also, in attendance were Deputy Police Chief Szos,
Fire Chief Baker, Deputy Fire Chief Kane, HR Director Malinowski and Village Trustee Liaison
Weidenfeld. Commissioner Dryman was not present at the meeting
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. Commissioner Fishman introduced a motion, seconded by Commissioner Blumenthal, to approve
the minutes of the BFPC Regular Meeting on September 19, 2022. Commissioners Fishman,
Blumenthal, McKee and Chairman Berman voted in FAVOR of the motion. The motion PASSED
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT:
A. Chairman Berman reported that he spoke with Police Officers and Firefighter/Paramedics at BG
Days and said they were absolutely professional, and they looked great as well.
B. Chairman Berman advised that he would talk about BFPC Rules and Regulations on Old
Business
COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS: NONE
CHIEF REPORTS:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
A. Deputy Chief Szos reported that Police Officer O'Neill graduated the Academy on September 23ra
and is on field training on the day shift
B. Deputy Chief Szos reported that Police Sergeant Horbus retired effective October V after 23
years with BGPD
C. Deputy Chief Szos announced that there are currently 3 vacancies within the BGPD
D. Deputy Chief Szos reported that Police Sergeant Hansen will be sworn in at the Village Meeting
after the BFPC Meeting
E. Deputy Chief Szos reported that they are working on the background on New Hire Candidate#8
F. Deputy Chief Szos informed the BFPC that Police Chief Casstevens retirement party will be
November 11t"
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FIRE DEPARTMENT:
A. Chief Baker reported that the FF/PM eligibility list is currently being worked through. They are
currently at Candidate# 18 on the list
B. Chief Baker reported that as of 9/19/22:
a. 2 New hires appointed to BGFD (Candidates 1 & 2)
b. Declined Candidate offers:
i. Candidate#9 gave no reason
ii. Candidate#'s 3, 10, 11, 14& 16 were hired by another department
iii. Candidates #'s 6, 8 & 9 took one-time pass with no reason given
iv. Candidates # 13 & 17 took a 1st time pass
v. Candidates 5, 12, 15 & 18 are currently in-process
1. Candidate 5 has completed their integrity interview and is in final
recommendation process
2. Candidate 12 has their integrity interview in process
3. Candidate 15 is in process and their background returned
4. Candidate 18 was sent their background packet on 9/29/22
C. Chief Baker reported that there are still 2 vacancies within the BGFD
a. There are 5 more candidates remaining on the FF/PM Register
b. Chief Baker informed the BFPC that effective October 17t" FF/PM Hauber will be retiring
D. Chief Baker asked if the BFPC was able to review the background packet for FF/PM Candidate
#5
a. The BFPC will discuss during Executive Session
E. Chief Baker advised that the FF/PM testing dates may need to be moved up if the entire roster is
completed and worked on before the end of the year
a. Things that the Chief will take into consideration are:
i. BFPC Commissioners availability
ii. Availability of a large enough venue to conduct orientation/testing
b. The Chief does anticipate a small gap between lists but does not feel that the gap will be
an issue
c. Candidate#20 will not graduate PM school in time for their background checks to begin
d. Candidate#21 they are having issues obtaining PM status from this candidate
e. Candidates#22 & #23 are FF/PM but not in the NWCH Group
QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE: NONE
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Chairman Berman discussed action related to the BFPC Rules and Regulations
a. Time-in-grade was discussed, and Chairman Berman informed that those performing at a
high level prior to performing time-in-service
b. Chairman Berman also sent a copy to John Broihier(IFPCA Attorney)to review
i. Perhaps waiting for the new BGPD Police Chief to be sworn into allow him/her to
review the Rules and Regulations to provide their input as well
ii. The POWER test was discussed
1. This cannot be used to determine how good or bad of a police officer will
be on the job. Deputy Chief Szos informed that this is a requirement for
candidates to attend the Police Academy
2. John Broihier recommended that this not be used as a decision to hire a
candidate, nor should we fail a candidate for not having their POWER
certification. Chairman Berman will question back to John Broihier about
the Academy not allowing candidates to attend if they do not have their
POWER certification and how that affects the hiring process. HR
Director Malinowski advised that the POWER test or any test for that
matter could be used as a biased test. NI PSA conducts the POWER
tests and lots of other Police agencies utilize the same rule of POWER
certification prior to testing and hiring candidates. HR Director
addressed his concerns that if BGPD hires a new candidate,they get
their slot in the Academy, and they fail their POWER test twice, they are
still a BGPD employee that the Village needs to figure out what to do with
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a Police Officer that cannot be a Police Officer without a POWER
certification.
iii. Points awarded (scoring)for the oral interview process is not in compliance with
Illinois state law and that this could be considered biased scoring by the
Commissioners
1. There are 7 categories that are to be considered when defining the
official duties of a Police Officer
a. These categories must be considered for the PASS/FAIL portion
of the oral interview
b. The oral interview questions need to be aligned to the 7
categories
c. Chairman Berman advised that there are companies that will
conduct the interview questions and PASS/FAIL outcome that
will align with the 7 categories of Policing
2. Polygraph exams were discussed
a. John Broihier advised that with our polygraph examinations if
one of the disqualifying items was discussed and if the candidate
was guilty of a disqualifying item, the BFPC has the legal right to
have the candidate re-reviewed post-examination
B. Chairman Berman advised that we table this conversation until after we have had a chance to
have John Broihier respond to follow-up questions and that these discussions continue
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Chairman Berman discussed action related to the 2023 BFPC Calendar
B. Chairman Berman discussed possible action related to FF/PM & Police Officer action
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A. Commissioner Blumenthal introduced a motion, seconded by Commissioner Fishman to
recess into Executive Session at 6:46PM pursuant to Section 2(C) (1) of the Illinois Open
Meetings Act: The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance,
or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public
Body, Including Hearing Testimony on a Complaint Lodged Against an Employee of the
Public Body or Against Legal Counsel for the Public Body to Determine its Validity.
a. Commissioners Fishman, Blumenthal, McKee and Chairman Berman voted in
FAVOR of the motion. The motion PASSED &the Regular BFPC Meeting was
temporarily adjourned for the Executive Session
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION:
A. Chairman Berman recalled the Regular Session back to order at 6:50PM. Present were
Commissioners Fishman, Blumenthal and McKee. Also, in attendance were Fire Chief
Baker, Deputy Fire Chief Kane, Deputy Police Chief Szos and HR Director Malinowski
B. Commissioner Blumenthal introduced a motion, seconded by Commissioner Fishman to
extend a conditional offer of employment to Firefighter/Paramedic New Hire Candidate#
5. Commissioners Fishman, Blumenthal, McKee and Chairman Berman voted in FAVOR
the motion. The motion PASSED & Candidate# 5 will be extended a conditional offer of
employment with BGFD
a. Chairman Berman will notify the candidate of the conditional offer and next steps
C. Commissioner Blumenthal introduced a motion, seconded by Commissioner Fishman to
extend a conditional offer of employment to Police Officer New Hire Candidate# 7.
Commissioners Fishman, Blumenthal, McKee and Chairman Berman voted in
OPPOSITION the motion. The motion FAILED& Candidate# 7 will NOT be extended a
conditional offer of employment with BGPD
a. HR Director Malinowski will inform the candidate via USPS of his removal from the
candidate process
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ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Blumenthal introduced a motion, seconded by Commissioner Fishman to adjourn the
meeting at 6:56PM, Commissioners Fishman, Blumenthal, McKee and Chairman Berman voted in
FAVOR of the motion. The motion PASSED&the Regular BFPC Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
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Kevin B. Dryman, Secretary
Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
The Village of Buffalo Grove,in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act,requests that persons with disabilities who require certain
accommodations to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting or have questions about the accessibility of the meeting or facilities
contact the ADA Coordinator at 459-2507 to allow the Village accommodations for those persons.
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