Minutes-050922
MINUTES
Call to Order
Attendance/Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Chair Peterson at 5:10 PM. Present at the meeting were Commissioners Bruce Peterson, Marshall Tanick and Gloria Kumagai; City Council Member Paula
Pentel; and staff members Bob Hernz and Amanda Johnson.
Agenda Review
Paula Pentel inquired about the role of the Civil Service Commission in regards to citizen complaints on police performance. This item was added to the agenda after the officer recruitment
process update.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the March 28, 2005 meeting were unanimously approved as distributed.
Current Police Officer Recruitment/Selection Process Update
Hernz stated 122 applications were received for police officer, down from almost 200 applications the last process. The first phase of written testing is underway and will conclude
on 09/27/05. The process being administered is the process currently approved by the Commission.
Pentel advised she would like to view the written test that is administered. Pentel asked for an overview of how the officer hiring process is conducted. Hernz advised the first phase
is a written L.E.A.P. exam, followed by a short interview with department staff and a written narrative response to the A.R.I. questions, and finally a panel interview
Hernz stated five officers would be eligible for retirement by the end of the year and the current process is underway to prepare an eligibility register for possible vacancies those
retirements would leave.
Kumagai inquired about the ethnicity of applicants; however, that information was not immediately available.
Citizen Complaints
Hernz advised complaints about officer performance are first referred to the sergeant or immediate supervisor. If the nature of the complaint warrants an investigation, forms are given
to the complainant to document the allegation(s) and an internal investigation is conducted.
Hernz stated there are plans to design a brochure that would explain/outline the complaint handling process. Pentel asked about making an online copy of the brochure available, and
Kumagai added some people may be intimidated and it would be helpful to have an alternate means of filing a complaint. Hernz advised individual city departments do not have a special
complaint process and he has concern over devising one solely for the police department.
Envision/Connection Project
Opening Comment- Peterson stated the Commission must be aware of its statutory role in the affairs of police policy and practices.
Chair Peterson presented sample interview questions that may be posed to officer candidates to assess the vision they possess for community and police collaboration. Tanick added another
question could be posed for the applicant to describe the trends they see prevalent and how they would address, restrain or enhance those trends. Hernz stated the department must be
careful in screening applicants as to not expect more knowledge and experience than should be required for an entry position.
The sample questions were submitted to police administration for consideration. No formal action was taken to amend the current recruitment/selection process.
Tanick reported the City Council has directed the Connection group to discuss and review how ideas are being implemented in the various city departments. Hernz reported crime maps have
been placed on the website, profiles of personnel now appear in the Neighborhood Watchdog, and the department is currently exploring ways to enhance the Neighborhood Watch program and
keep the information fresh and interesting. Officers are currently being recruited to conduct Neighborhood Watch meetings to encourage police and community engagement.
Peterson stated the commission is pleased with the progress being made in improving police and community involvement.
There was discussion about best practices and community engagement. Pentel advised there are buildings with landlord issues where dialogue between the police department and landlords
is necessary. Hernz stated there is an apartment managers group that meets, but it had been difficult to keep the managers of “trouble” properties involved. Hernz stated a few properties
have received notification of repeat nuisance calls and the calls are being tracked by the police department.
Peterson advised the commission would like police administration to review the department’s current practices to find areas that may be improved. Hernz advised this project would require
staff and funding that is currently not allotted for. Peterson mentioned grants and outside funding is available, and Kumagai advised more staff would probably still be needed to find
and write grant applications.
A working document detailing the objectives of such a project was distributed and it was asked that the police administration and City Council (Pentel) explore potentials. The Commission
would appreciate feedback in the future.
Tanick advised the Connection group will gather feedback from city departments and will report to the City Council.
Adjournment
Tanick moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Kumagai. The meeting was adjourned at 6:41 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marshall Tanick
Secretary