HomeMy Public PortalAbout11/23/1998 specialCity of Greencastle
® City Hall
Four East Walnut Street
Greencastle, Indiana 46135
Pamela S. Jones
Clerk- Treasurer
THE GREENCASTLE BOARD OF WORKS
SPECIAL SESSION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 3:30 P.M. CITY HALL
The Greencastle Board of Works met in Special Session Monday, November 23, 1998, 3:30 p.m.
at City Hall. Mayor Michael called the meeting to order at 4:50 p.m. On the Roll Call, the
following were found to be present: Sue Murray and George Murphey. Also present were City
Attorney Trudy Selvia, Chief Jim Hendrich and Assistant Chief Paul Wilson.
Brian Hopkins, Mike Johnson, Pam Coffman, Matt Demmings, Pam Spiker and Betsy Doan were
also present.
Mayor Michael welcomed everyone to the meeting and stated the purpose of this meeting is to
discuss Police Personnel. Putnam County Sheriff Deputy Matt Demmings spoke on behalf of
Brian Hopkins stating he has known him for 5 -6 years and knows Officer Hopkins to be an
extremely professional police officer who is very thorough, conscientious and well respected by the
® Prosecutor's Office. If afforded the opportunity, Deputy Demmings continued, Officer Hopkins
would prove himself to be beneficial to the Greencastle Police Department also. Deputy
Demmings stated he has a great deal of respect for Officer Hopkins.
Juvenile Probation Officer Betsy Doan stated she has worked with Officer Hopkins professionally
and stated he works very well with juveniles and is very timely and thorough.
Pam Spiker stated she is associated with the Town of Cloverdale and has been for several years.
Ms. Spiker stated that in working as a Reserve Officer for Cloverdale she has worked with Officer
Hopkins and he conducts himself professionally. Look long and hard, you have his future in your
hands, Ms. Spiker stated, he has moved his family here from Cloverdale.
Mike Johnson stated he doesn't understand the situations at hand and doesn't understand how
someone, after being appointed just one month, can get rid of people he doesn't even know. Mr.
Johnson stated he doesn't understand the charges against Brian and how they play into his
employment now. They should have been checked into prior to his employment with the City. If
you don't get the backing of the Chief and Mayor, where are you? Think about what you are
doing. Plenty of mistakes have already_ been made - think about these people's lives, Mr. Johnson
continued.
Mayor Michael asked Chief Hendrich for his recommendation. Chief Hendrich stated he
appreciates everything that has been said and acknowledged the feelings regarding himself, but
pursuant to the law, Chief Hendrich continued, I have to make a recommendation. Chief
Hendrich stated that regarding Officer Brian Hopkins, he cannot recommend he be taken off
probation when the times comes due to the circumstances.
Mayor Michael stated she takes her job seriously and does not make these decisions lightly and
made the motion to accept the recommendation of Chief Hendrich. Motion was seconded by
George Murphey.
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h a p p e n h e r e .
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a n d w i l l a c c e p t t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n o f t h e d e p a r t m e n t h e a d .
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f u l l - t i m e e m p l o y e e .
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m a d e b y M a y o r M i c h a e l , s e c o n d e d b y S u e M u r r a y . V o t e w a s u n a n i m o u s .
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( m o v i n g ) i s n o t r i g h t .
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s t a t e d .
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w i t h t h e B o a r d r e g a r d i n g P a m C o f f m a n ' s p r o b a t i o n a r y p e r i o d . C h i e f H e n d r i c h t o l d M r . J o h n s o n
t h a t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n w a s g i v e n t o t h e b o a r d a n d t h e y d o n o t h a v e t o r u b b e r s t a m p h i s
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l e t t e r d a t e d N o v e m b e r 1 8 , 1 9 9 8 .
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e x t e n s i o n o f t h e p r o b a t i o n a r y p e r i o d . M o t i o n w a s s e c o n d e d b y M a y o r M i c h a e l . V o t e u n a n i m o u s .
o B e t s y D o a n q u e s t i o n e d w h y O f f i c e r H o p k i n s w a s n ' t g i v e n a s e c o n d c h a n c e .
P a m S p i k e r s t a t e d t h a t a p e r s o n i s n o t g u i l t y u n t i l p r o v e n g u i l t y . O f f i c e r H o p k i n s d i d n o t e v e n
receive a reprimand from his former employer and this Board has decided to end his career
think it's terrible, Ms. Spiker continued.
Mayor Michael stated she is willing to extend Officer Hopkin's probationary period by two (2)
months. Attorney Selvia stated Officer Hopkins is already on probation, this isn't a matter of his
probation period expiring, you are acting on the recommendation of Chief Hendrich.
Chief Hendrich stated that maybe, in fairness, we don't have to visit this process right now. Maybe
the Board should table this issue at this time, Chief Hendrich stated.
Mayor Michael made the motion to reconsider the action taken against Officer Hopkins, seconded
by George Murphey. Vote was unanimous.
Mayor Michael made the motion that based on the Chiefs recommendation the Board table any
action regarding Officer Hopkins at this time. Motion was seconded by Sue Murray. Vote waE
unanimous.
Motion to adjoum made by Sue Murray, seconded by George Murphey. Vote was unanimous.
ATT T:
Pamela S. Jones, Cle - re surer
Nancy A. lichael, Mayor ,
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