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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 5/9/2009 - Police CommissionCity of McHenry Police Commission Meeting May 9, 2009 The May 9, 2009 meeting of the City of McHenry Police Commission was called to order by City Administrator Maxeiner at 8:30 a.m. in the McHenry Municipal Center Aldermen’s Conference Room. In attendance were Police Commissioners Ramon Gregorio, Sean Haley, and Michael Roberts. Also in attendance were Police Chief Brogan, City Attorney McArdle and Deputy City Clerk Kunzer. City Administrator Maxeiner welcomed the Police Commissioners and introduced City Attorney McArdle, Chief Brogan and Deputy Clerk Kunzer. State Statutes and Authority of the Police Commission City Attorney McArdle provided the Commission with an overview of the Illinois State Statutes with regard to the Police Commission. He noted all powers of the Commission are derived from the State Statutes. All officers of the City, including Police Commissioners, are required to be bonded. City Administrator Maxeiner noted the City would ensure that the Commissioners were properly bonded. City Attorney McArdle stated the three objectives of the Commission are to appoint officers, promote officers and dismiss officers. He noted it is the responsibility of the Mayor and City Council to discipline an officer when it involves more than five-day suspension per incident. Chief Brogan is authorized to discipline up to a five-day maximum suspension per incident. City Attorney McArdle went over the State Statute governing the Commission section by section, highlighting areas of note. Each Commissioner was provided with a copy of the Statute for reference purposes. Brief discussion occurred regarding the following items: 1. Period of probation for McHenry police officers; 2. Suspensions and requirements for public hearings before the Commission; 3. Arbitration regarding suspensions; 4. Discipline powers of the Commission. City Administrator Maxeiner noted the City would prefer that discipline authority remain a function of the Police Commission as opposed to being subject to union negotiation and/or arbitration. City Attorney McArdle stated he would likely represent the Commission during any public hearings regarding discipline. City Attorney McArdle departed at 8:55 a.m. Open Meetings Act and Close Session Requirements Deputy Clerk Kunzer provided the Commission with an overview of Statute requirements regarding the Open Meetings Act and the requirements of Closed Session. City Administrator Maxeiner noted The City has offered the services of Deputy Clerk Kunzer to be the recording secretary/Staff liaison for the Commission. Chief Brogan stated he would prefer representation by the Police Department at the Commission meetings. He noted either he or Deputy Chief Jones would attend the meetings, depending upon availability. Police Commission 5/9/09 Page 2 After some discussion, it was determined the next meeting of the Commission would be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 4 p.m. in the Municipal Center Aldermen’s Conference Room. Election of Commission Officers Brief discussion occurred regarding the officers of the Commission. Motion by Roberts, seconded by Gregorio, to nominate the following as Officers of the Commission: Chairman Sean Haley Secretary Ramon Gregorio. Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley, Roberts. Voting Nay: None Absent: None Motion carried. General Questions/Discussion: Promotions, Probation and Discipline Responding to an inquiry from Chairman Haley, Chief Brogan stated he encourages all patrol officers to test for promotion. There are typically two or three who choose not to take the test. Regarding this issue, Chief Brogan stated it is desirable to provide the officers with a reading list 60-90 days prior to the testing date. Responding to further questions, Chief Brogan noted 10% of the promotion points are attributed to the Chief’s recommendation. Discussion also followed regarding the required probationary period. In response to a question, Chief Brogan noted during the past seven years, there have been 4-5 officers who have resigned during their 15-month probationary period. Regarding disciplinary measures taken, Chief Brogan stated during the past seven years there have only been 7 or 8 suspensions. It is a rare occurrence. City Administrator concurred noting in the history of the City very little discipline by the Police Commission has occurred. Candidate Application Packet and Process Timeline Chief Brogan provided the Commissioners with the newly-assembled Candidate Application Packet and suggested the Commissioners review and comment upon it at their next meeting. He noted it is designed to” weed out” non-serious applicants for patrol officer. Chief Brogan also introduced a packet provided by Standard and Associates, a police officer testing firm, who can provide the entire testing package (written test, psychological exam, physical agility test) in one entity. He recommended the Commissioners secure copies of the packet from the firm for further review. He suggested a representative from the firm might be willing to speak to the Commission at its next meeting to further enlighten the Commission as to the scope of their services. Chairman Haley stated he would secure packets for each Commissioner and invite the company to send a representative to speak at the May 19th meeting. Responding to an inquiry from Commissioner Gregorio, City Administrator Maxeiner noted it is the City’s hope the candidate selection list process commence as quickly as possible. It is hoped there could be a list posted by the end of July so that probationary officers would attend the Police Training Academy in Police Commission 5/9/09 Page 3 August. It was the consensus Chief Brogan would provide a tentative timeline for Commission review and approval at the May 19th meeting. Commissioner Roberts inquired how many officers the City was intending to hire. Chief Brogan responded the department is currently down 5 officers. It is the City’s intention to hire 3 immediately with the possibility of 2 more if the Economy Stimulus Grant for officers is approved. Topics for May 19th Meeting Chairman Haley noted the following items will be part of the Agenda for the May 19th meeting: 1. Approval of Minutes 2. Presentation by Standard and Associates 3. Approve amended Candidate Application Packet 4. Review of existing Police Commission files 5. Approve timeline for testing and posting of candidate list for new officers Adjournment Motion by Haley, seconded by Gregorio, to adjourn at 10:02 a.m. Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley, Roberts. Voting Nay: None Absent: None Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 a.m. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________________ Kathleen M Kunzer, Deputy Clerk Recording Secretary