04/10/087800 Golden Valley Road — Golden Valley, MN 55427 POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
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MEETING
Thursday, April 10, 2008 — 5:00 PM
Public Safety Building Conference Room
MINUTES
Call to Order
Attendance/Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Chair Peterson at 5:05 PM. Present at the meeting were Commissioners Bruce
Peterson, Gloria Kumagai and Marshall Tanick; and Police Chief Stacy Altonen, Deputy Police Chief Roger
Johnson and Commander Nate Gove.
Annroval of Minutes
Chair Peterson advised of a correction under "Envision Discussion." The sentence, "Tanick advised the police
department will begin hosting the quarterly Bridge Builder meetings as part of community connection" should be
changed to "...the police department will be hosting the quarterly Bridge Builder meeting on March 1St as part of
community connection on 03/01/08." The amended minutes from the February 4, 2008 meeting were approved by
consensus.
Annroval of Police Officer Eligibility Resister
Altonen advised the testing process has been completed for the three vacant police officer positions. The process
began in January with a posting of the position and testing requirements. One hundred and eighteen applications
were received. The same written tests used in prior processes were administered as well as an optional fitness test
where candidates were able to participate and determine if additional personal training was necessary to pass the
final test several weeks later. Twenty three applicants passed all of the testing requirements and were invited to
participate in formal interviews. Twenty two applicants were interviewed (as one withdrew from the process) and a
final eligibility register of twelve candidates was presented to commissioners for approval. Upon approval, the top
three candidates would be given conditional job offers and background investigations would begin.
Kumagai asked for demographic information on the candidates listed on the proposed eligibility register. Altonen
advised two candidates are women and none of the candidates are persons of color. Chair Kumagai asked for
demographic information on the twenty three interview candidates and Altonen stated there were three women (one
of which withdrew from the process) and none of the candidates were persons of color.
Kumagi asked at what step in the hiring process most candidates of color are rejected. Altonen advised applicants
often withdraw from the hiring process for various reasons or simply don't appear for the written tests/interviews.
Altonen stated department staff could track the progress of minority candidates through the hiring process and
Kumagai advised this would be helpful.
Altonen advised most of the candidates listed on the eligibility register stated they are currently in hiring processes
with other agencies so there is competition among agencies to acquire the same quality candidates.
Tanick inquired if any candidates on the register are current community service officers with the City of Golden
Valley. Altonen stated none of the community service officers were eligible to participate in this process.
Tanick inquired if department staff has considered ways to recruit more minorities for officer positions. Altonen
advised for the first time officers represented the Golden Valley Police Department at the Law Enforcement
Opportunities Career Fair on April l Oth. The career fair is held annually and attracts law enforcement students and
Police Civil Service Commission Meeting Minutes
April 10, 2008 — Page 2
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high school students who are interested in learning more about different law enforcement agencies. Altonen advised
the career fair can be helpful in recruiting reserve officers and community service officers as well.
Chair Peterson noted the existing list dated October 24, 2007 is viewed as exhausted as there are no viable
candidates remaining.
Chair Peterson asked if the police officer recruitment/selection process was managed consistent with the currently
approved process of the commission; Altonen stated it was. Chair Peterson asked if the police administration have
any reservations in recommending the eligibility register to the commission for approval. Altonen stated they do
not.
Tanick moved approval of the eligibility register; seconded by Kumagai. The register was approved unanimously.
Chair Peterson thanked the police administration for their attention to detail concerning the recruitment/selection
process.
CSO Transition
Altonen stated the city attorney reviewed the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations and concluded it is
permissible to have two lists of potential officer candidates, an officer eligibility register and a list of community
service officers who become eligible to be hired sometime after the officer register has already been finalized, as
long as the Civil Service Commission approves. Altonen stated there would be an open application process, which is
only available to Golden Valley CSOs, where CSOs can apply for an officer position when they become eligible and
are put through the same testing/interview process as all other officer candidates.
Chair Peterson inquired about the frequency of accepting applications from CSOs, and Altonen advised the
applications would be accepted at anytime and consideration would be given when an officer position becomes
vacant.
Chair Peterson asked how the Rule of Three would be applied to two lists. Altonen stated when there is a vacancy
the job posting would indicate the requirements for the position (i.e. stating an applicant must be a current
community service officer in the City of Golden Valley). If more than one CSO was on the list, the Rule of Three
would be applied and the CSOs with the top three scores would be considered for an open position. However, the
Rule of Three would not be applied to both lists simultaneously as applicants from only one list would be considered
for a particular open position, as stated in the requirements listed in the position posting.
Altonen advised a proposal will be presented to commissioners for approval at a future meeting.
Sergeant Testing Requirements
Altonen summarized the testing process used for the sergeant promotion process administered in the Fall of 2007.
Minimum requirements were: five years of service as a full-time police officer, three of which were served as a
Golden Valley officer. Preference points were given to officers with a four-year degree. Ten officers participated in
the sergeant promotion process and were placed on a promotional list sequentially by score. The promotional list
certified by the Civil Service Commission expires in October 2009.
Other Business
Chair Peterson advised the commission is grateful and thankful for Deputy Chief Roger Johnson's 31+ years of
service to the Golden Valley Police Department and the Golden Valley community. The retirement open house for
Roger Johnson will be held on Wednesday, 04/30/08, from 3-5PM at Brookview Community Center.
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April 10, 2008 — Page 3
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The promotion ceremony for Mike Meehan to Operations Commander and Jim Roberts to Sergeant will be at 3PM
on Sunday, 04/27/08, in the Council Chambers.
Tanick thanked police administration for hosting the Bridge Builder meeting in March.
Altonen advised commissioners of a lawsuit filed against the city for alleged excessive use of force by an officer
stemming from a traffic stop in November 2005. The matter has not gone to trial, but did go to summary judgment.
The judge did not grant summary judgment, but also did not grant qualified immunity to the officer. Discussion on
how to proceed is ongoing with city staff and attorneys.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marshall Tanick, Secretary