HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 8/6/2014 - Police CommissionCity of McHenry Board of Police Commissioners (August 6, 2014) Page 1
City of McHenry
Board of Police Commissioners
August 6, 2014
Chairman Rick Huber called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM in the City of McHenry Aldermen’s
Conference Room. Other Commissioners in attendance: Mike Roberts, Ramon Gregorio. Others present:
Chief John Jones and Deputy Chief of Police John Birk.
Public Input:
None.
Consideration of July 2, 2014 Minutes
Motion by Mr. Gregorio, seconded by Mr. Roberts to approve the minutes from the July 2, 2014 Police
Commission meeting as presented.
Voting Aye: Roberts, Gregorio, Huber
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
Unfinished Business
a) Update: SRO Program. Chief Jones reported that the Police Department met with school
officials on August 4th. During this meeting SRO Rewiako was introduced to the faculty. The
police department reviewed best practices when reporting specific types of incidents to the police.
Faculty was engaged in the meeting and took the opportunity to ask questions to police
administration and SRO Rewiako. SRO Rewiako will begin his first day in the high schools on
August 11th. He will split his time between both schools.
b) Update: Cops Grant: Deputy Chief Birk advised that police department has submitted all the
necessary paperwork for the COPS Grant. The police department anticipates a response on our
application sometime in September. Staff will keep the commission informed of any updates.
Chief Jones advised that if funding is approved through the Grant, the City and the School
District will meet to see if a second SRO for the high schools can be approved.
c) Update on New Hires:
Officer Zack Pierkarski has completed step one of his FTO training with Officer Prather.
He has now entered step two and it is reported that he is doing well. He is scheduled to
be released to solo patrol in the beginning of October.
City of McHenry Board of Police Commissioners (August 6, 2014) Page 2
Officer Candidate Josh Conway was sworn-in on June 30th. Chief Jones reported that he
has completed the first 4 weeks of the 12 week academy. Chief Jones stated that his
reported tests scores are higher than the class’s average. It is anticipated that Josh will
graduate from the academy on September 25, 2014.
d) Discussion on Current Eligibility List: Chief Jones discussed with the commission the current
status of our eligibility list. In planning for the future, the police department recognizes that there
is a strong probability of hiring at least two officers in the next 12 months, with the first hiring
happening as early as September. After discussion the Commission advised the police
department to move forward with the initial background checks on applicants #13 and #14.
Further discussion was had regarding the status of the current list. Chief Jones explained the
process required by State Statute for creating a new list prior to the expiration of the old list. The
Commission unanimously agreed to move forward with creating a new list in accordance with
State Statute. Chief Jones was instructed by the Commission to confirm the steps with the
Commission’s legal counsel and to move forward with the process. The first steps of the process
(Advertisement and applications) will be arranged with the City’s HR Department as soon as
possible. Chief Jones will provide an update to the process at the September 3rd Commission
Meeting.
Chairman Huber had a follow-up discussion regarding the IFPCA Email brought to the
Commission’s attention in July’s meeting, regarding physical fitness testing. Chairman Huber
advised that this case law ruling should be reviewed with legal council to assure that we comply
with all applicable laws. Chief Jones will contact the Commission’s legal counsel and Chairman
Huber will follow-up with the sender of the original email to confirm this.
Communications
a) Bills for Approval: None
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Gregorio made a motion, seconded by Mr. Roberts to
adjourn the meeting.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Roberts, Huber
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:38 PM.
Next meeting of the Police Commission is September 3, 2014.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
John R. Birk, Deputy Chief of Police