HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12/4/2013 - Police Commission
City of McHenry
Board of Police Commissioners
December 4, 2013
Chairman Sean Haley called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM in the City of McHenry Aldermen’s
Conference Room. Other Commissioners in attendance: Ramon Gregorio. Absent: Mike Roberts.
Others present, Chief of Police John Jones, Deputy Chief of Police John Birk and Executive Assistant
Marci Geraghty.
Public Input:
None.
Consideration of November 6, 2013 Minutes
Motion by Mr. Gregorio, seconded by Mr. Haley to approve the minutes from the November 6, 2013
Police Commission meeting as presented.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Roberts
Motion carried.
Unfinished Business
a) Update on New Officers. Police Chief Jones reported Sean Klechak will graduate from PTI on
December 19th; Officer Sexton will be his officer in training. Joseph Lazicki is in the second step
of the three-step training program.
b) Proposed update of Police Commission Rules & Regulations. Police Chief Jones reviewed the
impending changes to the state statute regarding accepting candidate s with military service. For
every year of active military service, one additional year of age over 35 will be acceptable up to
10 years; and, candidates with a minimum of three years active military service or candidates who
have served for 180 days of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces in combat duty recognized by
the Department of Defense, and who have received honorable discharges are not required to have
a four year degree. These changes become effective January 1, 2014.
A discussion ensued to consider a revision to the minimum college requirement for officer
candidates. Mr. Haley asked if the current requirements have limited the amount of good
candidates available for officer positions. He asked what the motivation is to change the college
requirements. Chief Jones agreed stating we have had good candidates but a limited pool. Chief
Jones said other communities have removed the college requirement including the Village of
Buffalo Grove, most likely to produce more applicants. Deputy Chief Birk noted most of the
communities that made these changes did them recently adding we are seeing a trend in veterans
applying for police positions. Chief Jones said we are seeing more and more military v eterans
applying for police officer positions adding veterans have been successful in law enforcement.
He added officers receive 24 college credits for graduating from the police academy.
City of McHenry Board of Police Commissioners
December 4, 2013
Page 2
Deputy Chief Birk suggested we use the other agencies as a test ground and revisit this topic in
one or two years. Chief Jones agreed and recommended the Police Commission Rules and
Regulations are updated to meet the recent statutory changes this fiscal year or next depending on
what the fiscal year budget will allow. The commission members agreed.
c) Commissioner Seat Vacancy. Chairman Haley announced his intention to resign from the Police
Commission. He told the members he would continue to serve until a replacement was
appointed.
New Business
a) Approval of 2014 Police Commission Meeting Schedule. Gregorio made a motion, seconded by
Haley to approve the 2014 Police Commission meeting schedule as presented.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Roberts
Motion carried.
Gregorio made a motion, seconded by Haley to cancel the January 8, 2014 meeting.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Roberts
Motion carried.
The commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM in the Aldermen’s
Conference Room.
Communications
a) Bills for Approval. None presented.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Gregorio made a motion, seconded by Chairman Haley to
adjourn the meeting.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Roberts
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 PM.
Next meeting of the Police Commission is February 5, 2014.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Marci Geraghty, Executive Assistant