fop article
Notes from 8/1/19 meeting with DJ Thompson, Mike Sides and Alan Yeager
- “Administration sucks. This is nothing personal against Billy.â€
- Manpower issues. Department is 18 officers short. Officers can’t get days off when they want them. – They get days off when planning ahead. No employer gives days off “whenever the employee wantsâ€
- “People are just walking out…leaving here for lesser paying police jobs.†– Who left here to what department—what were the other circumstances? Wife got new job? Went back to their home area?
- Not enough officers to do police work. Not making car stops. Not getting guns proactively off the streets.—many officers not doing proactive because line level supervisors do not make them—many hours of downtime—little to no arrests… We will always be at minimum. If we increase minimum, they will complain they can’t get a day off. If we leave it at current minimum, then they will “always be too busyâ€. The argue both sides of the coin
- Manning shortage causing psychological problems with some officers.—shifts are covered—all contractually promised days off are being given
- Keep starting new units. CPOs were doing the work that the homeless liaison officer is now doing.—CPO’s cover a lot of different issues—Karges Sr can address this
- Park liaison — Matt Karges — assigned to Mikey’s Kingdom (Billy’s project)and only answers to parks issues—Karges has 734 calls for service. Only 6 (of 33) day shift officers have more than he does
- Overtime — can’t imagine how much we spend. We will always be at minimum because officers take theie vac, fam, and comp days- and officers will always take advantage of unlimited sick days…If we moved to eliminate unlimited sick days, they would fight it
- OT is mismanaged. 911 Gives Hope…the event at Larry Bennett’s place. ZERO OT for 911 Gives hope or the event at Bennett’s.. The are being attacked because Billy is associated ..This claim is completely false
- Jeff Worthington issue…priority is to go to the media. —Media called and asked about an elected official getting suspended. Media was tipped off before agenda email went out
- Instances like JW’s creating lots of mistrust of Billy.Â
- 70%-80% of officers don’t trust him. Where did this number come from?
- Sense that he’s absent a lot. He gets his time off just like everyone else
- “to be on the department now sucks.†Common feeling. Emotion based—can’t respond to it
- People are afraid to do their jobs…afraid administration won’t back them up. The admin has backed up officers time and time again, The FOP has been silent on every shooting, social media attack…
- New operational guidelines on officer involved shootings. Andy reply
- New OG requires involved officer(s) to make full statement/interview immediately for the sake of media. Very basic info- “ I saw this and fired my†gun..Vegas based video
- When new OG was rolled out, administration stated that it had been approved by the FOP attorney, which was false.
- Rush to the media to release information. More worried about media than officer safety.Not sure what tney are referring to
- Vehicles…not enough of them. Officers are waiting an hour after roll call to get a car.—When did this happen and how often
- Fewer and fewer cars are on the streets.—
- Testing process…they would like feedback on oral portion of exams. In other words, identify areas for improvement.
- Deputy Chief Brush and Lt. Hahn have relatively little to do for their ranks.
- Body cams. Concerned about restroom breaks being recorded.—Then ensure you are not recording before you walk in
- Concerned about the fishing expeditions of supervisors.—Have they found an example?
- VIPER moved to report directly to the Chief. It’s “his private militia.â€
- “Communication is lacking.†(from Chief)
- Chief avoids eye contact at roll call and when walking through roll call area.
- Doing the job is becoming miserable.
- Administration is setting officers up to fail.—In what way- specific examples
- Officers of the FOP are targeted for their union activity. Who?Â
Senator Braun’s Statement on the Impeachment of President Donald Trump
Senator Braun released the following statement on House Democrats’ impeachment of the 45th President Donald J. Trump.
“Record high in the stock market, historically low unemployment, USMCA, China Phase 1, ISIS leaders dead, building the border wall and so much more. President Trump is right – this doesn’t feel like impeachment. It feels like WINNING for the American People!” – Senator Mike Braun
“IS IT TRUE” DECEMBER 19, 2019
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUEâ€Â will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?
IS IT TRUE that the Harvard Business School just released a study that assesses the competitiveness of the United States of America?…in this study, it states that in 1964 a full 77% of the population trusted the federal government to do the right things to make progress happen and that today only 17% of Americans trust the federal government?…that has increased from a low of 15% in 2009?…one could almost surmise that with that low of a number trusting the federal government that it can’t go much lower since roughly 15% believe silly things like Elvis is alive and Hitler is living in Argentina plotting a return to power?
IS IT TRUE that this same study has addressed the political affiliation changes of Americans since 2004 that happened to be the year that President Reagan was re-elected?…in 2004 the political affiliation of Americans was 34% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 31% Independent?…that in 2008 when President Obama was elected Independents passed both Democrats and Republicans and the lead of Independent affiliation has continued to grow unabated?…today 41% of Americans identify as Independent while 30% identify as Democrats and 28% as Republicans?…the source of this data was taken from historical Gallup polls and indicates a rising disenchantment for political affiliation of any kind?…at the current growth rates by 2030 there will be a majority of Americans who do not identify with either the Democrat or Republican parties?…this will be a good thing as both parties have so corrupted themselves with self-interest and identity politics that neither deserves to be in a position of control?
Indiana Sees Revenue Surplus In November, Sports Betting Profits On The Rise
By Emily Ketterer
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS –– Indiana continues to bring in more money than expected each month so far this fiscal year, including more than $880,000 in November sports wagering tax revenue.
The state’s general fund revenue for November reached a little more than $1.1 billion, which is $53.6 million above the adjusted revenue forecast presented in April.Â
State Budget Director Zachary Jackson said the extra money comes from a number of factors and no particular outlier. He said the economy is good right now and the state’s three major sources of revenue––sales tax, personal income and corporate income––are all doing better than expected so far.
“The revenue forecast is just that, it’s a forecast, and therefore, fluctuations are typical and anticipated,†Jackson said. The fiscal year ends June 30.
In addition, sports wagering in the state just finished its third month at the end of November. Hoosiers placed nearly $150 million in sports bets during the month, an increase from the $91.7 million in bets placed during October.Â
Those bets resulted in more than $880,000 in tax revenue for the state. And $9.3 million was collected in taxable adjusted gross revenue, according to the state report. Jackson said the tax revenue is an increase from the estimated $0.6 million expected in November.
Since legal sports wagering went live for the first time in September, more than $270 million in bets were made, which made the state $2.7 million in total tax revenue.
And Frank Ignatius, president and founder of BetIndiana, said the state can expect those revenue numbers to get even higher in the near future.
“This is probably one of the lower Novembers we will ever have,†Ignatius said. “This industry is still very much in its infancy, and I think there’s a lot of room for growth.â€
He said researchers predict Indiana sports wagering will be worth about $300 million per year in revenue, which translates to about $30 million in annual tax revenue.Â
Also, 65% of all sports wagering in November came from mobile bets. Ignatius expects at least 90% of bets to be mobile within the coming months.
To see how the state stacked up against others, Ignatius compared Indiana to New Jersey, which is in its 16th month of legal sports wagering. New Jersey just broke the record for the total handle at $560 million collected in November. He said he sees this as a prediction for Indiana’s future in sports wagering.Â
“They’re a much more mature market than Indiana,†Ignatius said. “But the point is, compared to the research numbers, New Jersey is surpassing what even the researchers suggested.â€
He said Indiana is off to a great start.
“I mean their numbers have been better than most states in early months,†Ignatius said. “This is very encouraging for the future of Indiana sports betting. I think it’s going to be one of the top markets in the country.â€
Although revenue coming in from sports wagering is exceeding forecasts, Jackson said the money only puts a small dent in the total revenue collected from state taxes.
“Given that we have collected over $6.26 billion in general fund revenues so far this fiscal year, the revenue impact of sports wagering, whether looking at the projections or actuals, is comparatively small,†Jackson said.
The updated revenue forecast for this fiscal year will be presented on Friday.
Indiana ended the last fiscal year with a record-high $2.27 billion in reserves, and the state continues to bring in money exceeding the revenue forecast. In July, Gov. Eric Holcomb asked that $300 million of that extra money be used for one-time capital projects already approved by the General Assembly:
- $73 million, Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine teaching hospital;
- $60 million for the Ball State University STEM and Health Professions facilities;
- $50 million, Fall Creek Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds; andÂ
- $30 million for the Ivy Tech Columbus main building replacement.
Holcomb will also ask the General Assembly to use funds for existing projects, including $48 million for the University of Southern Indiana Health Professions classroom renovation, and paying off existing debt obligations early for state facilities such as hospitals, prisons, and parks.
The governor has said paying for these projects now will save the state more than $125 million.
However, the Indiana State Teachers Association asked for $75 million to go to teacher salary raises. Holcomb did not set aside any reserve money to go toward this request.Â
Democratic candidate for governor, Sen. Eddie Melton of Gary, who has been an advocate for teacher pay raises during his campaign, announced a bill that would take $100 million over the biennium for teacher pay increases.
“This would put money in teachers’ pockets next year, something Republicans have said isn’t possible,†Melton said. “I assure you, if it’s a priority, it can be done.â€
FOOTNOTE: Emily Ketterer is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
New Initiative Helps Indiana’s Hispanic and Latino Learners Obtain Education And Training Beyond High School
 The Indiana Commission for Higher Education announces today a new initiative aimed at increasing student access and attainment to higher education for the state’s Hispanic and Latino learners and families.
Funded by Indiana’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), five Padres Estrellas – translated as “Star Parents†– will work with community organizations focused on empowering Hoosier Hispanic and Latino communities to provide college and career support to students and families across the state.
The Padres Estrellas will connect with schools, neighborhoods and community partners and focus on helping students and families enroll in the 21st Century Scholars program and the Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant.
“We are committed to increasing access to the opportunity a quality degree or credential provides for Hoosier students,†said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “Hoosier students are becoming increasingly
diverse and economically challenged and we know we must do more to meet these needs and close educational achievement gaps.â€
The Commission’s College Equity Report reveals that Hispanic Hoosiers are one of the fastest-growing populations of high school graduates in the state of Indiana, but also one of the most likely populations to come from low-income households. Hispanic high school graduates are also 10 percentage points behind the statewide college-going rate, 53 percent to 63 percent, respectively.
Hispanic Hoosiers in the 2017 high school graduating class who were part of the 21st Century Scholars program defied the average college-going rates for their racial/ethnic peers and the statewide average. The college-going rate for Hispanic Hoosier Scholars was 86 percent, compared to just 40 percent of their low-income, non-Scholar peers.
“The Scholars program is clearly working, however, we must do more to ensure that eligible Hispanic and Latino Hoosiers are applying in seventh and eighth grade,†said Lubbers. “One of the biggest challenges is simply awareness of the program, and we hope that Padres Estrellas can help increase awareness and enrollment by meeting families where they are.â€
Alfonso Vidal has represented the 8th Congressional District on the Commission for Higher Education since 2017 and is president of Evansville-based Vidal Plastics. The creation of a program such as Padres Estrellas has been a goal for Vidal to see come to fruition in Indiana.
“I am very excited about this initiative because I can see the huge potential to connect a growing need with available opportunities that are being wasted. As an immigrant Latino and adopted Hoosier, I am experiencing firsthand the complexity of navigating higher education choices with my own children. As a Latino advocate working for the Latino community in Evansville and the state, I have also seen the challenges many Latino parents have in understanding and even being aware of the options their children have to be able to reach their potential,†said Vidal.
Meet the Padres Estrellas:
José Juarez, family and community engagement coordinator at Indianapolis Public Schools (Indianapolis)
Juarez coordinates with family and community engagement liaisons in various districts to assist in developing partnerships with parents and leaders in the community. Juarez’s goal through his involvement with Padres Estrellas is to help Hispanic and Latino families overcome the barrier of access to information on their path toward greater success in Indiana and the United States.
Marlen Ortiz, a family resource specialist at La Casa de Amistad and teacher at Starz Academy (South Bend)
As a lead preschool teacher at Starz Academy, Ortiz works primarily with three- and four-year-olds. One of her objectives with her work through Padres Estrellas is ensuring Hispanic and Latino families are aware of the available college and career options in Indiana.
Lauro Zuñiga, instructional assistant at East Noble High School (Fort Wayne)
Zuñiga works with special education students to create a one-on-one learning environment so that students feel motivated and supported to complete their work in a timely fashion. Through Padres Estrellas, he aims to better the Hispanic and Latino community by providing students with the tools needed to become leaders in their community.
Maria Rising, Latino community coordinator for Family School Partners at Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (Columbus)
Rising coordinates all Latino Family Connection services and builds relationships with families in their neighborhood by sharing the information received from family school partners and other Latino community organizations. Her involvement with Padres Estrellas will complement her existing work to expand the educational opportunities in the Hispanic and Latino communities.
Nancy Londono, outreach coordinator for HOLA (Evansville)
Londono facilitates leadership workshops, recruits participants to various HOLA programs and assists the Hispanic and Latino community at related events. She looks forward to informing the community of new opportunities to build a better future for generations to come through her involvement with Padres Estrellas.
The Commission has also identified five key partner organizations in several regions around the state to serve as primary pilot locations to support the initiative and the Padres Estrellas, including:
- La Casa de Amistad (South Bend);
- El Mexicano (Fort Wayne);
- Indiana Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (Indianapolis);
- Latino Education Group (Columbus); and
- HOLA (Evansville)“ As one of HOLA’s founders, I am very excited to be part of an organization that will be reaching out to parents directly and see the impact of the Padres Estrellas ’work,†Vidal said. “I am thrilled to see that the Commission has made Padres Estrellas a reality for Hoosiers.â€
For more information, visit https://www.in.gov/che/5014.htm, or contact program director Greg Harrell at gharrell@che.in.gov.
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is a 14-member public body created in 1971 to define the missions of Indiana’s colleges and universities, plan and coordinate the state’s postsecondary education system, and ensure that Indiana’s higher education system is aligned to meet the needs of students and the state. The Commission includes representatives from each Congressional district, three at-large members, a college faculty representative, and a college student representative. Learn more about the Commission’s Reaching Higher, Delivering Value strategic plan atwww.in.gov/che/.
Attorney General Faces Potential Suspension Of Law License
By Emily Ketterer
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS –– Attorney General Curtis Hill could face a two-year suspension of his license to practice law over allegations that he drunkenly groping four women in a bar last year.
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed documents Monday calling for the suspension of Hill’s license without automatic reinstatement, stating his actions “cannot be brushed off as simply boorish behavior or overlooked as a misunderstanding of intent.â€
If the Supreme Court agrees and suspends Hill’s license, it would put in jeopardy not only Hill’s re-election campaign in 2020 but his ability to remain as attorney general at all. Indiana law requires that the attorney general must be “duly licensed to practice law in Indiana.â€
Hill has repeatedly denied the allegations and resisted calls for resignation from Republican party leaders, including Gov. Eric Holcomb.
“I can’t imagine he would be able to continue as attorney general if his law license is suspended for two years,†said Allison Martin, clinical professor of law and legal ethics expert at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis.
The recommendation by the Disciplinary Commission comes almost two months after Hill’s four-day disciplinary hearing. The attorney general is accused of ethical violations over allegations he made unwanted contact and sexual advancements to four women––one state representative and three Statehouse staffers––at an Indianapolis bar after the end of the 2018 legislative session.
The commission concluded in its report that Hill shows a “lack of remorse,†and his actions were “deliberate,†“intentional†and established “a lack of restraint.†The Commission also said in the report that the events were “not the result of a one night of overindulgence but fit into a pattern of sexually inappropriate behavior.â€
As attorney general, the commission stated, Hill “should be seeking to protect victims of sexual assault, not creating them or blaming them.â€
In response, Hill’s lawyers are calling for a dismissal of the disciplinary case, saying the party that night was crowded.
“In such environments, there tends to be some degree of physical contact between individuals,†they wrote. “The amount of physical contact a particular person is comfortable with is highly variable from person to person.â€
Hill’s attorneys also said the commission has no reason to call for suspension because the alleged criminal contact has “nothing to do with the practice of law,†and a special prosecutor appointed to look into the case declined to file criminal charges last year.
The Disciplinary Commission, though, said the allegations do reflect adversely on Hill’s “honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness of a lawyer,†and harm public perception of him.
Former state Supreme Court Justice Myra Selby presided over the hearing, and she will determine a recommendation for discipline, if any, to the Indiana Supreme Court. No timeline for the Supreme Court to make its decision has been released.
FOOTNOTE: Emily Ketterer is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
EPA Recognizes Electronics Industry Leaders for Achievements in Innovation and Recycling
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2019 winners of its Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Electronics Challenge Awards.
Today’s electronics are made from materials that, if not properly managed at the end of their lifetime, may pose a risk to human health and the environment. The winners of the 2019 Electronics Award are being recognized for keeping 194,500 tons of electronics out of landfills by sending them to third-party certified recyclers. EPA will hold a ceremony at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January to showcase the innovative work of the 2019 awardees.
“These companies represent the electronics industry’s leaders in sustainable product design and life cycle management,†said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The environmental benefits associated with keeping electronics out of landfills and recycling them for use in new products are enormous. EPA is proud to recognize the inventive and forward-thinking achievements of these companies.â€
The Agency’s 2019 Electronics Challenge Gold Tier Awards are going to the following organizations:
- Dell
- LG Electronics USA
- Samsung Electronics
- Sony Electronics
- Sprint
- Staples
- TCL North America
- VIZIO
- Xerox
EPA further recognizes Dell and Samsung Electronics as the SMM Electronics Challenge Champion Award winners for innovation in an environmentally responsible way. These companies serve as examples in demonstrating environmental, social and economic outcomes for their organizations and the public that go above and beyond the requirements of the Electronics Challenge.
- Dell is receiving the Product Award for developing a visionary closed loop process for recovering rare earth elements from magnets in end-of-life hard disk drives. During the pilot, Dell diverted 660 pounds of magnet material from landfills to create 25,000 hard disk drives.
- Samsung is receiving the Cutting-Edge Award for developing an affordable, upcycled and smartphone-based diagnosis camera to improve eye health care equality in underserved populations. Currently piloted in Vietnam, the camera extends the life of obsolete phones, uses 50% recycled content and is designed for easy reuse or recovery.