03-16-2010 POLMHutchinson Police Commission Minutes
The Hutchinson Police Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at the Hutchinson
Emergency Operation Center. Present at the meeting were, Mark Jelkin, Julie Jensen, Steve Sherman
and Chief Dan Hatten.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jelkin at 5:29 p.m.
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Chairperson Jelkin asked if there were any changes to the minutes from the February 1 meeting. With
there being none a motion was made by Steve Sherman, seconded by Julie Jensen, to approve the
minutes from the February meeting. Motion carried.
Chief Hatten then updated the Commission with regard to the communications section. He said that
both Shannon Schermann and Traci King had completed field training and working on their own. He
stated that both were doing an excellent job. Chief Hatten then proceeded to inform the Commission
that Katie Kuhnau and Kristine Gerdes had been given conditional offers of employment for full-time
and part-time positions respectfully. He said that the department was waiting on the results from the
medical, physical and psychological examinations. Once these results are obtained he would be able
to move forward with a final offer. Commissioner Jensen stated that it had been a unanimous decision
by the final interview panel to which she had participated.
Chief Hatten then updated the Commission with regard to the new peace officers. He stated that all
four officers were currently in field training and proceeding through the program. Hatten said that the
two officers that were promoted to sergeant were adjusting to their new roles. Another update with
regard to officers is the new assignments. Hatten stated that internal interviews had been administered
to the officers that had applied for open field training officer positions as well as the Southwest Metro
Drug Task Force agent. He stated that Officers Mathwig and Sayre had been assigned as field training
officers and that Officer Andy Erlandson had been assigned to the task force. He added that the task
force position is a three year assignment. Commissioner Jensen inquired of Chief Hatten what the
incentive was for officers in applying for such assignments. Hatten stated that with the task force
position it is a desire to work drug cases and with field training it is the willingness to instruct new
officers and the desire to have quality officers once the process is completed. Hatten stated that the
department was currently in the process for assignment to the Special Response Team and that
information should be available at the next meeting. The last item with regard to officers is that Sgt.
Doug Johnson had requested a military leave of absence. Hatten stated that Sgt. Johnson had
received a letter stating that he was being deployed to Kuwait on July 16, 2010 for 11 months. It was
asked if there were any other officers that could be deployed to which Hatten stated Officer Jason
Pederson who is in the Marine reserve. Chairperson Jelkin inquired if temporally back filling the
supervisory position was being considered for developmental purposes. Chief Hatten stated that he
was not considering this due to the fact it is standard procedure that if there is no supervisor on duty the
senior officer on duty is in charge.
The next item on the agenda was the review of the Rules and Regulations. Each commissioner agreed
that there were no need for any major changes however, there were a few changes suggested with
regard to verbiage. After a brief discussion a motion was made by Julie Jensen, seconded by Steve
Sherman to adopt the Rules and Regulations with the appropriate changes as discussed. Motion
carried.
Chairperson Jelkin asked if there were any items from the floor. Commissioner Jensen inquired about
the new Ðchild friendlyÑ room. Chief Hatten stated that it was getting a lot of use and that Officer
Hammond had done some more research and planned on making a few changes to the area. He also
stated that a grant had been applied for that would enable the department to upgrade the electronic
technology used to record the interviews performed in this area. Commissioner Jensen asked if there
Police Commission Meeting
March 17, 2010
Page 2
was any progress with regard to finding an individual to replace Commissioner Sherman once his term
was complete. Chief Hatten stated that Mayor Cook had brought forward a name to him and that he
felt this individual would accept once approved by the city council.
The Commission wanted to go on record how much they appreciated the efforts given in the planning
and preparation for the swearing-in and promotional ceremony held at the Event Center. They also
wanted to acknowledge the time and effort put forth by members of the department in the hiring
process as well as the promotional process. The Commission stated they were aware of the many
sacrifices department personnel had to make during the last nine months and did not want it to go
unrecognized.
With there being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Mark Jelkin, seconded by Julie
Jensen, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Time of adjournment was 6:26 p.m.
Next Meeting to be held on April 20, 2010 at 5:30 pm.
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