07-14-2004 POLM
HUTCHINSON POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES
The Hutchinson Police Commission held a meeting on July 14,2004, at the Hutchinson
Police Department Emergency Operations Center. Present at the meeting were Barry
Anderson, Donna Baysinger, Tom Schwartz, Human Resource Director Brenda Ewing, City
Attorney Marc Sebora, Lieutenant David Erlandson and Chief Daniel Hatten.
Chief Hatten called the meeting to order and the commission elected its officers. Barry
Anderson nominated Donna Baysinger for Secretary, seconded by Tom Schwartz. The vote
was unanimous. Donna Baysinger nominated Barry Anderson for Chairperson, seconded
by Tom Schwartz. The vote again was unanimous.
Tom Schwartz was sworn in as a police commissioner by City Attorney, Marc Sebora
The minutes from the May 10,2004 meeting were read and approved. Chief Daniel Hatten
introduced himself to the Commission and gave a brief personal background.
Chief Hatten informed the Police Commission that Officer Travis Heinrich was granted eight
weeks of family leave, four of which will be paid, and four weeks unpaid.
Chief Hatten addressed the commission in regard to possible officer vacancies in the near
future. Chief Hatten has been informed by two police officers in the patrol division that they
are both currently on Minnetonka Police Department's eligibility roster. It is anticipated that
both officers will be accepting a position with Minnetonka by the end of the year.
Lieutenant Erlandson stated that Hutchinson Police Services has proceeded with the
selection process for a full time police officer. He said that there were three applicants,
however, one did not respond to a letter sent stating interviews would be taking place. Two
initial interviews were given with both applicants advancing to the testing phase. The
following names achieved the necessary scores to be placed on the eligibility roster: Adam
Schuman and Eric Hansen. Tom Schwartz, seconded by Donna Baysinger, made the
motion to certify the eligibility roster as presented to the commission. Motion carried.
Chief Hatten informed the commission that Jesse Mathwig will be hired as a part-time
police officer. Jesse has completed a two-year program at Alexandria Technical College, is
eligible to be full-time licensed, and is on the eligibility roster which was approved on March
10,2004.
Chief Hatten also informed the commission that communications specialist Robin Shoen
accepted a position with the Minnetonka Police Department as a records supervisor.
Robin's last day of work with Hutchinson Police Services will be July 17, 2004. Due to the
vacancy in communications, Chief Hatten asked for authorization to post an open
advertisement for the position of a full time communications specialist. Brenda Ewing
explained the process of open advertising to the commission. Tom Schwartz made a
motion, seconded by Donna Baysinger, to open advertising to fill an eligibility roster for full
time communications specialist. Motion carried.
Police Commission
July 14, 2004
Page 2
The commission was informed by Chief Hatten that part-time communications specialist,
Nancy Redetzke, had submitted her resignation as of June 4,2004, in conjunction with her
retirement from her full time teaching position with the Hutchinson school district. Due to
combined service pension requirements, PERA requires annuitants to be out of public
employment for 30 days. After that time annuitants may be re-employed, but no longer
contribute to the retirement fund. Lieutenant Erlandson advised the commission that
interviews were held to add names to the part-time communications eligibility roster. There
were three applicants, however, one did not respond to a letter sent stating interviews
would be taking place. Initial interviews were given which included Nancy Redetzke and
one other applicant. Nancy Redetzke was the only individual who achieved the necessary
score to be placed on the eligibility roster. Donna Baysinger, seconded by Tom Schwartz,
made the motion to accept the eligibility roster as presented to the commission. Motion
carried.
Donna Baysinger inquired as to the status of positions within the department working with
the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force. Chief Hatten stated that Sergeant Chris Dobratz is
currently the coordinator for the program, and Officer Adam Ament has been assigned to a
position as an agent with the task force. Both assignments will end December 31,2004.
Barry Anderson inquired about a recent grant application for Homeland Security.
Lieutenant Erlandson stated the grant application was not successful.
The commission was informed that after a petition to unionize, the police officers and
sergeants voted down unionizing by a vote of 12-7.
Chief Hatten spoke about the city's web page updates that include the boards and
commissions of the city, along with its members. The web page now has the dates that the
terms expire for the commissioners and board members.
The question was asked as to when Chief Hatten will be sworn in. It was discussed that
Chief Hatten is required to complete firearms, defensive tactics and fitness training before
he is sworn in at the next station meeting which is tentatively set for August 12, 2004.
Chief Hatten is also in the process of becoming POST licensed in Minnesota
With there being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Barry Anderson,
seconded by Tom Schwartz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Time of adjournment was 8:10 am.
Donna Baysinger