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02/04/08POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION PA 7800 Golden Valley Road — Golden Valley, MN 55427 ANNUAL MEETING Monday, February 4, 2008 — 4:00 PM Public Safety Building Conference Room MINUTES Call to Order Attendance/Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Chair Tanick at 4:15 PM. Present at the meeting were Commissioners Bruce Peterson and Marshall Tanick; staff members Stacy Altonen, Roger Johnson, Nate Gove and Amanda Johnson. Agenda Review Peterson requested the addition of two items under Other Business- 1) An update on the Hixon case outcome and 2) Update on the police officer/sergeant promotion process outline. Approval of Minutes The minutes from the October 24, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus. Staffing Projections for 2008 Altonen reviewed police officer staffing for the department. There are currently two officer vacancies and two additional sworn staff members who will be eligible to retire in 2008. Tanick inquired if interns could provide assistance to the police department and Altonen advised staff will be interviewing a person interested in becoming an intern in the next couple weeks. Peterson asked if there are any promotions planned for 2008 and Altonen advised there are none scheduled at this time. Police Officer Recruitment/Selection Process Report Altonen reviewed the current officer recruitment process that began in January. There were 118 applications received and applicants were sent information about the upcoming written tests, which begin on Friday, February 8,', An optional "practice" fitness test will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Breck School Fieldhouse. This is an optional test where candidates can participate to determine if additional fitness training is necessary to pass the final fitness test to be given several weeks later. The scores of candidates who pass the "practice" fitness test will be recorded and candidates will not be required to take the test again. Altonen stated the scoring system will be averaged and passing standards are still considered slightly above-average. Peterson asked if the police officer recruitment and selection process conducted was consistent with the currently approved process of the Civil Service Commission. Altonen stated it was. Peterson inquired if the Police Officer Eligibility Register dated 10/24/07 is exhausted; Altonen advised it is as there are no viable candidates remaining. Chief s Report 2007 Highlights (Handout Distributed) Altonen distributed a document outlining police department highlights for 2007. Altonen replaced retiring police chief Bob Hernz in April. The City Council approved an additional patrol sergeant position for the police department effective 01/01/08. Nate Gove was promoted to Patrol Commander and Mark Persons and Kyle Toays were promoted to Patrol Sergeants. Two CSOs were hired as police officers and have completed field training. Police Civil Service Commission Meeting Minutes February 4, 2008 — Page 2 A property room audit was completed in the Fall of 2007. A Public Safety Summit was held in the Fall of 2007, and Neighborhood Watch zone meetings have continued to be an effective way to communicate information to and gather feedback from the community. Part 1 crimes (serious felonies) rose 6% in 2007 and less -serious crimes dropped 22% compared to 2006. (Note: Due to a system error that was not discovered until after printing, the handout distributed shows Part 1 crimes were up 1%.) Altonen stated the department is working towards having bi-monthly analysis meetings with patrol and investigations to have a more proactive role in preventing crime. A thorough review and update of the department policy manual will be completed in 2008. A new vehicle idling policy was instituted, resulting in an approximate savings of $1,600.00/month in fuel savings for squad cars. Two citizens received Citizen Commendation Awards for brave actions in assisting motorists who were experiencing medical emergencies while operating their vehicles. 2008 Goals (Handout Distributed) Altonen presented 2008 goals for the police department, including purging old records, training officers on new rifles, training for squad cameras, producing a recruitment video and updating the department website, and increasing the number of community education and crime prevention programs. Peterson advised commissioners would appreciate the ability to give input into the recruitment video and Altonen stated she will ensure commissioners are involved in the final approval. Altonen stated command staff is considering placing a member in the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force. Altonen advised the police department will participate in the annual law enforcement opportunities fair held in April. Peterson inquired if information gathered from various meetings with community members contributed to the 2008 department goals. Altonen stated hosting more public education classes and incorporating directed patrol shifts to develop and maintain community connections were initiatives derived from community feedback. Envision Discussion Peterson summarized past Envision discussions for Altonen and advised he believes the police department has embraced concepts arising from past discussions and will continue to embrace them in the future. Tanick advised the police department will be hosting the quarterly Bridge Builder meeting on March 1St as part of community connection. Election of Police CSC Officers In accordance with state law, which states the member in the last year of their term shall be Chair of the Commission, Bruce Peterson will serve as Chair during the coming year. Marshall Tanick was elected as secretary by consensus. Other Business CSO Feeder Program Altonen expressed interest in creating an "open application' system for current community service officers who are enrolled in school to become police officers. Altonen explained CSO candidates who are not eligible to apply for open officer positions because their education is not complete are "missed" as the eligibility registers are certified Police Civil Service Commission Meeting Minutes February 4, 2008 — Page 3 1 � g with a two-year expiration. Within that two-year period many CSOs will complete their education and may begin looking for positions in other departments. Altonen would like to have a certified eligibility register in addition to a separate list of eligible community service officer candidates. As openings arise a candidate could be selected to be hired from either list. Current by-laws allow for CSO candidates to be added to the eligibility register once their education is complete, which consequently "bumps" existing candidates from their rank on the register. Altonen expressed concern that the legality of such a practice could be challenged by candidates who have already been certified on the register and are moved further down the register before it expires. Further discussion will ensue at a later date. Hixon Case Update: Altonen stated this case has come to conclusion and payment has been made to Mr. Hixon. The insurance company for the city covered $1 million and the city paid the remaining approximate $130,000.00. Police Officer/Sergeant Promotion Process Outline Altonen presented an overview for the police officer recruitment process to commissioners. Peterson requested an overview of the sergeant promotion process also be distributed to commissioners in the near future. Closing Comments Tanick stated it was a pleasure serving as chair for 2007. Altonen thanked commissioners for their service. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:23 PM. Respectfully submitted, Amanda Johnson, Administrative Assistant For Gloria Kumagai, Secretary