02/28/91 Meeting Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COr44ISSI0N
Thursday. February 28, 1991
Minutes
The meeting of the Golden Valley Police Civil Service Commission was
held in the lower level of the Public Safety Building on Thursday, ,
February 28, 199$. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m.
Present were Commissioners Sandbaken, Thorsen and Johnson.
Commissioner Sandbaken, chair, called the meeting to order. Also present
were Director Mooney and Captains Shellum and Johnson of the Golden
Valley Police Department.
The minutes of the January 29, 1991 , and December 20, 1990, meetings
were approved the the commission with an amendme�t by Director Mooney to
reflect "hirings throughout the year. " Director Mooney and the po]ice
staff presented the annual report and an update on department activities ,
1991 operations and administration goals and a public safety
organizational chart (see attached) .
Among the major top9cs covered:
• State Representative Kelly is introducing legislation to mandate four year
degree; (concerns about whether the four year requirement must be in police
science or other fields) .
• Successful work by the department in specific areas ; collaboration with
other Hennepin County Departments has proven to be helpful . Golden Valley
participates with seven city drug task forces (New Hope, Crystal , Hopkins ,
St. Louis Park, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale) . This has been helpful in
targeting street level dealers.
• The department continues to work with schools and other social service
agencies to address the needs of at—risk youths to develop positive
relationships with these youth. A detached youth worker has been helpful in
identifying youth that may benefit from appropriate ayency support.
Counteract (Bob Shellum' s brain child> has provided classroom instruction to
all fifth grade students in Golden Valley. Parents are encourayed to be a
part of helping their child with Counteract and are invited to a graduation
ceremony where students review for parents some of the things they have
learned about making good decisions and choices . 125 parents attended a
recent graduation for 75 students at Noble Elementary.
Crime Prevention
The Department appreciates the work of the many Crime Prevention
volunteers . A part—time person is working to help organize hosts for
neighborhood watch groups . The "newsletter" which is put together by
volunteers and edited by Sheila Miller is helpful in getting information and
alerts to people.
Page Two
Golden Valley Police Civil Service Commission
Domestic Assault Pro.iect �
Increase in women' s acknowledgement of assault; the policy/law has been
changed from "may" arrest to "will " arrest if the officer observes assault.
There is beginning to be more involvement of social service agencies and the
criminal courts in the early stages with the hope that victims can get
counseling and that some of the perceptions and attitudes of those in the
court systems can be changed. The department expects to offer training for
all officers.
New Initiative
A major goal for the future will be to design and build a public safety
building that supports community and volunteer involvement, ample space for
department services and activities and with a communication system that
supports the departments needs.
Other areas briefly discussed:
• Liquor control monitoring
• Police reserve volunteers assisting at special events
• Animal control/impound kennels
• Guns/permits to carry
• Golden Valley/New Hope Communications System
Chair/Commissioner Sandbaken received and reviewed with commissioners the past
years work and the goals for 1991 . Director Mooney and Captains Shellum and
Johnson were commended for their outstanding performance; the professional way
in which they carry out their responsibilities and the time and energy that
have put into working to improve the overall effectiveness of the department.
Commissioner Sandbaken commented that he felt the department and the
Commissioners shared a similar philosophy regarding the department and
considered the department/staff forward looking and always interested in
improving. Commissioners Thorsen and Johnson also endorsed these comments .
Director Mooney indicated that the Captains Shellum and Johnson run their
divisions very well and they are responsible for the improved climate
throughout the department.
He further stated that he and the staff feel supported by the Coemissioners ,
appreciate the wisdom of decisions that were made and felt that the
Commissioners had been open and responsive to the department.
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The date for the next meeting was postponed until a date compatible with the
schedule of all Commissioners could be determined.
The meeting was adjourned at 6: 15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol Johnson, Secretary