HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/1/2009 - Police CommissionCity of McHenry
Police Commission Meeting
July 1, 2009
The July 1, 2009 meeting of the City of McHenry Police Commission was called to order by Chairman
Haley 4:00 p.m. in the McHenry Municipal Center Aldermen’s Conference Room. In attendance were
Police Commissioners Ramon Gregorio, Sean Haley, and Michael Roberts. Absent: None. Also in
attendance were Police Chief Brogan, Deputy Chief Jones, Deputy Chief Pechous, HR Manager Zinanni
and Deputy City Clerk Kunzer.
Approve Minutes of 6/3/09 Meeting
Motion by Roberts, seconded by Gregorio, to approve the minutes of the Police Commission meeting of
6/3/09 as presented.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley, Roberts.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Update: Number of Candidates to be Tested; Confirm Testing Date
Deputy Chief Jones confirmed Stanard and Associates will conduct physical agility tests and written tests
on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at East Campus High School as previously discussed. He informed the
Commission Stanard has assured him written test results would be available within three to four days of
the test. Physical Agility pass or fail test results will be provided immediately. Those who fail the physical
agility test will not be taking the written test.
HR Manager Zinanni reported as a result of her initial review of the candidate applications there are 41
candidates to be invited to participate in testing on July 11th.
Discussion: Applications Considered Questionable by HR Manager
HR Manager provided the Commission, Chief Brogan, Deputy Chief Jones and Deputy Chief Pechous with
a spreadsheet indicating the status of each of the 116 applications which were taken out by potential
candidates. She noted of the 116, there were 38 which were not returned. Of the 78 submitted
applications, there are 41 candidates whom she would recommend to proceed with testing (color-coded
blue on the spreadsheet). She noted those color-coded green have been disqualified for various reasons
(i.e. incomplete application, lack of signature and/or documentation, etc.) Finally, those color-coded
pink have not yet been categorized as information is pending (i.e. college transcripts have not yet been
received, etc.)
Discussion occurred regarding what to do with those applications color-coded pink. It was noted the
deadline had already been extended two weeks. It has been eleven days since the new deadline which
should have provided applicants with adequate time to ensure their transcripts were mailed in which
appears to be the greatest deficiency occurring in the “pink pending” category.
Chairman Haley asked what the City’s objective is at this point. He noted there are 41 accepted
applicants.
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Commissioner Roberts stated most the “pink pending” applications which are missing high school
transcripts are located within one hour of McHenry. However, he opined, college transcripts are another
matter. Sometimes it is not the candidate’s fault that colleges are slow in sending transcripts.
Chairman Haley inquired what has to happen between now and July 11th. HT Manager Zinanni stated
applicants need to be informed as to their acceptability or lack thereof for the testing process on July
11th.
Commissioner Gregorio opined as the deadline has already been extended two weeks, he would be in
favor of moving forward with the 41 “blue coded” applicants and invite them to the orientation and
testing on July 11, 2009. Commissioner Roberts concurred.
HR Manager Zinanni inquired if the Commission would be satisfied with accepting a high school diploma
in place of the high school transcripts. The Commission agreed the diploma would be acceptable.
Discussion occurred at HR Manager Zinanni’s request regarding what to do with the original birth
certificates which were required to be submitted as part of the application process. It was the consensus
the original birth certificates could be returned to the applicants once the process has been completed.
Copies of the certificates would remain on file with the Commission.
HR Manager Zinanni noted the Police Department has conducted an initial criminal history and driver’s
license check of all of the accepted applicants. One candidate was excluded due to previous criminal
history.
Deputy Chief Jones noted there were several applicants who were involved with campus police
regarding drinking under age. Those applicants mentioned the run-ins with campus police and have not
been excluded from moving forward in the process.
Commissioner Roberts inquired if an applicant calls and asks why they were disqualified, what would be
the response. It was the consensus of the Commission to direct HR Manager to respond to the
applicants as per the information stated on the spreadsheet. If the applicants are not happy with the
response, HR Manager Zinanni may obtain their name and phone number and explain one of the
commissioners will be in contact with the applicant.
Brief discussion occurred regarding the best way to notify those applicants who are moving forward
with the orientation and testing process. Chief Brogan offered the services of the Deputy Chiefs to
phone candidates, advise them of the orientation and testing date, time and location, and perhaps
respond to any questions by the candidates. Deputy Chief Jones will write a telephone script to be used
for this notification of candidates.
HR Manager Zinanni will send letters to all applicants, advising those who are moving forward in the
process, as well as those who have been disqualified.
Discuss: Interview Questions
HR Manager Zinanni provided all present with copies of a list of possible interview questions. She noted
she broke down the interview questions into eight categories with approximately seven or eight
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questions per category. In addition, she asked the Police Department to create some scenario questions
for candidate response.
Responding to an inquiry from Chairman Haley, HR Manager Zinanni stated there are some questions
which are not allowed during the interview process. These questions include any reference to a
disability, marital status, age, sexual preference, do you have children, church affiliation, and are you
divorced. She noted there are questions permitted during the interview process for police officers which
would be off-limits during typical employment interviews. For instance, are you prejudiced, what’s your
favorite alcoholic beverage, etc. – these types of questions can be helpful in assessing candidates as
future police officers.
Other Business
Chairman Haley inquired as to the proposed schedule for Saturday, July 11, 2009. Deputy Chief Jones
responded as follows:
8:00 a.m. Orientation
9:00 a.m. Physical Agility Test
1 p.m. Written Test.
Deputy Chief Jones stated written test results would be provided to the Commission within one week of
the test.
Chairman Haley suggested if interviews are to commence on July 25, 2009, the Commission should meet
prior to that date to finalize the interview process and schedule. It was the consensus of the Commission
to schedule a Special Meeting for Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 4 p.m. Items to be included on the
agenda include: schedule interview date(s), interview teams, how to rotate during the interview
process, and questions to be added to the interview question list.
It was the consensus of the Commission to schedule two interview days with a maximum of five
interviews per team per day. It was suggested to plan an hour per interview. This would allow 30-45
minutes for the interview and 15-30 minutes to rate or score the interview and/or allow for a break
between interviews.
Commissioner Roberts stated if it ended up each team would be interviewing less than 10 candidates,
perhaps they could finish up during a weeknight evening as opposed to scheduling two consecutive
Saturdays.
Some discussion followed regarding scoring systems. Some of the characteristics mentioned that
interviewers would be seeking in the candidates were demeanor, articulation, physicality, and emotional
quotient. It was noted if some type of point system is created, there would be a way to create a list of
candidates in order of preference as far as the interview portion of the process is concerned.
Commissioner Roberts noted there is generally discussion by the team following each interview and
there is a “gut” feeling which results following the interview.
HR Manager Zinanni expressed concern that there are possibly a hand full of applicants who need a job
and police work “sounds like fun”. Chairman Haley stated this would come out during the interview
process. He stated one of the items to be determined at the Special Meeting is which team will
interview which applicants. He requested copies of the applications be made available to the interview
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teams at the Special Meeting so they would be adequately prepared for each interview. HR Manager
Zinanni agreed to make copies of the applications.
Chief Brogan broached the subject of what should occur if a Commissioner or Police Department
Interviewer knows the prospective candidate. It was agreed by all that if there is anyone of the potential
candidates whom a commissioner or Chief or Deputy Chief does not want to interview, this will be
honored so as to avoid jeopardizing the neutrality of the interview process.
Chairman Haley stated the Special Meeting to be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 would include the
following items:
1. Approval of Minutes of the July 1, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting;
2. Review the final list of candidates to be interviewed;
3. Discuss interview questions;
4. Determine the interview schedule;
5. Form interview teams;
6. Assign candidates to interview teams;
7. Determine scoring system and/or criteria.
Adjournment
Motion by Roberts, seconded by Gregorio, to adjourn at 5:09 p.m.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley, Roberts.
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Kathleen M Kunzer, Deputy Clerk
Recording Secretary