04-15-2004 POLM
HUTCHINSON POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES
The Hutchinson Police Commission held a meeting on Aprilt5,2004, at the Hutchinson
Police Department Emergency Operations Center. Present at the meeting were Bob
Bowen, Barry Anderson, Donna Baysinger, and Lt. Dave Erlandson - Interim Chief, Human
Resource Director Brenda Ewing, City Attorney Marc Sebora, Council Member Casey
Stotts, Finance Director Ken Merrill, City Administrator Gary Plotz, and Mayor Marlin
Torgerson. The meeting was called to order.
Lt. Erlandson stated he wanted to update the commission on the selection process for the
police officer position. He stated that it was in the final stages and that Jason Pederson
would be having his psychological next week. Donna Baysinger asked about the other
individual on the eligibility roster. Erlandson stated that Jesse Mathwig was still in school,
would be graduating in May, and taking his licensing test in July. He will remain on the
roster and most likely applying for the park patrol position.
Lt. Erlandson then updated the commission with regard to the Southwest Metro Drug Task
Force. He stated that Sgt. Dobratz was filling in as our agent with the departure of Jake
May until the end of June. He is also serving as the coordinator to the end of the year. The
funding for the task force depended upon the legislation and what they end up deciding.
He also stated that the officers are looking a unionizing and that he, along with Brenda
Ewing had met with an attorney to look at what needed to be done. A vote by the officers
has not been set as of this date.
The minutes from the prior meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Bob Bowen,
seconded by Barry Anderson, to accept the minutes. Motion carried.
Lt. Erlandson also informed the commission that the photographs of the officers had been
removed from the department's web site. He stated that there is a state statute that states
the department must have permission in order to display the photographs and it was
decided to just remove the pictures.
The commission was then informed that Michael Kutzke, one of the candidates for the chief
position had withdrawn from the process and two candidates remained. The next step in
the process is for the commission to make a recommendation to the city council for them to
take a vote. Brenda Ewing stated that the city had hired Richard Setter and Associates to
complete the background checks on the candidates and they should be completed by April
2ih. It was agreed that the commission did not want to make a recommendation until the
backgrounds have been received and they are able to review the information. Donna
Baysinger then requested that each attendee at the meeting who had been involved in the
interview process state their thoughts regarding the two candidates. After this was
completed it was decided that the commission would meet again on April 29th at 7:00 a.m.
to review the backgrounds and come up with a recommendation for the city council.
Police Commission
April 15, 2004
Page 2
With there being no further business to discuss a motion was made by Bob Bowen,
seconded by Donna Baysinger, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Time of adjournment was 8:30 a.m.
Donna Baysinger