HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/6/2011 - Police CommissionMcHenry Police Commission
July 6, 2011
Chairman Haley called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. in the Mchenry Municipal Center
Aldermen’s Conference room. In attendance were commissioners Gregorio, Haley and Roberts.
Also in attendance were Chief Jones, Deputy Chief Lumber, Deputy Chief Kreassig, HR Manager
Zinanni and Administrative Assistant Lunsmann.
Chairman Haley expressed appreciation to Commissioner Gregorio for chairing the meeting last
month.
Consideration of Minutes: June 1, 2011 regularly scheduled meeting
Chairman Haley requested any comments or questions regarding the June 1, 2011 minutes.
There were none.
Motion by Roberts, seconded by Gregorio seconded, to approve the minutes of the June 1,
2011 Police Commission meeting as presented.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley, Roberts.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Chairman Haley asked about the item concerning CALEA requirements for Police Commissions.
Deputy Chief Kreassig noted this would be discussed later in the meeting.
Update: Patrol Officer Candidate Applications Submitted
HR Manager Vickie Zinnani advised that 89 packets were distributed to possible applicants for
the new candidate list. Fifty‐nine applications were returned/submitted and seventeen were
disqualified. Consequently, there is a total of 42 applicants invited to the testing process on
Saturday, July 9th.
HR Manager Zinanni noted letters of invitation were sent to applicants with complete
submittals and meeting all of the application criteria. Letters of denial were sent to those failing
to submit a complete packet or otherwise disqualified from the testing process due to stated
requirements.
HR Manager stated the percentage of accepted applications from the total submittals appears
to be consistent in relation to submittals during the process in 2009. It is anticipated there will
be some no‐shows on Saturday for testing and some that will not pass the physical testing.
IO Solutions will be handling the testing, which includes a mental fitness component within the
written test. IO Solutions will be at East Campus at 8:15 am on July 9, 2011 to set up.
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It was noted Deputy Chief Lumber, Deputy Chief Kreassig, Chief Jones and Administrative
Assistant Lunsmann will be on‐hand to assist with check‐in. Deputy Chief Lumber has all
necessary keys to access the building. The City will in all likelihood be required to pay a
janitorial fee for using the building. Administrative Assistant Lunsmann will have possession of
original birth certificates which will be returned to applicants who are present. It would appear
that everything is ready for the testing process on Saturday.
Review and Discuss Scenario Questions Submitted by Deputy Chiefs
Deputy Chief Lumber commented that at times police‐based scenario questions are too easy.
He would like to include more in‐depth questions pertaining to how a new officer would handle
new situations and new co‐workers. Another possible scenario could relate to officer
productivity, and how to have a meaningful conversation with an immediate supervisor. This
could indicate what type of employee the applicant would be and not strictly how they would
perform as an officer.
It was noted there should potentially be a scenario question involving ethical choices. An
example given might include a something that puts the officer in a bad, possibly illegal,
situation, and how they could make it better.
Chairman Haley said deciding the type of scenario questions would depend on what
information the commission/department is looking for in the response.
Deputy Chief Lumber thought prefacing the scenario with the comment that there is no right or
wrong answer would enable the applicant to think on his/her feet. HR Manager Zinanni
suggested a change to the scenario, but Chief Jones responded that would take away the
purpose of the question.
Chairman Haley expressed his belief that a college‐educated applicant should be able to handle
an ethical question. Commissioner Gregorio stated the applicant would receive points relating
to the type of answer provided. Chairman Haley noted a great deal could be gathered from
composure, body language, choice of words in response, etc.
HR Manager Zinanni believed it could be valuable to advise the applicant there is not perfect
answer to the situation. Chief Jones stated he believes the scenario question should be left in.
Deputy Chief Kreassig provided a scenario with a traffic stop involving a prominent member of
the community. Again, the panel should not be looking for a right or wrong answer, but
listening to the discussion. Deputy Chief Kreassig also stated he would like a scenario question
on fitness level and how the applicant will continue to stay fit once on the job.
Chief Jones indicated there will be one more commission meeting prior to oral interviews.
Deputy Chief Lumber stated he will prepare scenarios and a bank of standard questions for final
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consideration at the August 3, 2011 commission meeting. He noted he would e‐mail the
questions to commissioners by July 22, 2011.
Chairman Haley believed the process used last time worked well, with 2 teams for 30 minutes
with each applicant, and interviewers to convene afterward.
HR Manager Zinanni stated that once results are forwarded to her, she will schedule the
applicants for oral interviews.
Deputy Chief Lumber noted IO Solutions has asked for a list of candidates including date of birth
and sex. HR Zinanni will provide this information to them prior to Saturday.
It was noted oral interviews will be scheduled for:
Saturday, August 13th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 17th starting at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 20th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Interviews will be scheduled in one‐hour intervals in order to provide 30‐minute segments for
each of the two interview teams.
Other Business
Chief Jones advised the City is tentatively planning to hire two from the new candidate list. One
would replace Officer Klean who resigned. The second would be to replace another officer who
is testing and on candidate lists with departments in the southern part of Illinois.
HR Manager Zinanni advised she has spoken to counsel concerning the CALEA policy regarding
police commissions. Home rule is not a factor. The current officers contract provides for
arbitration rather than discipline by the Commission. This appears to be typical for patrol
officer contracts. The Commission still provides discipline for Sergeants, Deputy Chiefs, and the
Chief of Police. Commission rules do not have to mimic the patrol officers’ contract. Police
Commissions are governed by state statute.
Discussion occurred regarding the swearing‐in ceremony for K‐9 Duke, to be held on July 18,
2011 at the City Council meeting. Chairman Haley advised he would conduct the swearing‐in
ceremony.
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Adjournment
Motion by Roberts, seconded by Gregorio to adjourn the meeting at 4:45 p.m.
Voting Aye: Gregorio, Haley, Roberts.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Joan Lunsmann, Administrative Assistant