01-04-2005 POLM
HUTCHINSON POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES
The Hutchinson Police Commission held a special meeting on January4,2005, at the
Hutchinson Police Department Emergency Operations Center. Present at the meeting
were Barry Anderson, Donna Baysinger, Tom Schwartz, Mayor Steve Cook, City
Councilmember Casey Stotts, City Attorney Marc Sebora, City Administrator Gary Plotz, Lt.
Dave Erlandson and Chief Daniel Hatten.
Chief Hatten stated that there were two individuals on the police officer eligibility roster. He
informed the commission that two other individuals had submitted applications to the
department, had been interviewed and taken the written examination. He was requesting
that the two names, Randal Brown and Robert Winslow, be added to the eligibility roster.
He stated by doing so it would give him the numbers needed to interview and make a
selection to fill the opening left by Officer Corey Schmidt.
There was discussion as to how applications are acquired by the department. Chief Hatten
explained that there is the recruitment process in which members of police services go to
colleges and promote the department to students who will be graduating in law
enforcement. Some applicants are gained by individuals contacting either police services
or human resources, requesting an application and returning the same. They have either
looked at our website or spoken with officers currently employed by the department.
Another way in which applications are obtained is by advertising in various medias - the
last time this was done was in 2001.
Chief Hatten stated that he would be looking at a new test for incoming officers due to
Wollack & Associates - the test currently used - no longer in the business of testing law
enforcement candidates. He stated he did not want to rush this search and wanted time to
find and evaluate the different companies that administer law enforcement tests. After
discussion of these items a motion was made by Tom Schwartz, seconded by Donna
Baysinger, to add the two names of Randal Brown and Robert Winslow to the eligibility
roster. Motion carried.
The progress of the two new dispatchers was then presented to the commission. Chief
Hatten stated that Kelly Pischke was well advanced in her training and doing well. Deb
Voss is the other individual being trained and he stated that she was on track in the
process. It was asked of Hatten as to other individuals who were listed higher on the
eligibility roster and why they did not get the job. Chief Hatten explained that Lisa Benson
had been offered the position but due to personal circumstances declined the position and
that Mr. Peltier had withdrawn.
The commission was then updated on the Southwest Metro Drug Task. A new agent had
been assigned for McLeod County with a deputy from McLeod County. Chief Hatten stated
that Office Ament would be maintained by the department as an officer assigned to drug
enforcement.
Police Commission
January 4, 2005
Page 2
Chief Hatten then informed that commission that work was being done of the policy and
procedures manual. He stated that a rough draft revision had been done on the general
orders and was being reviewed by members of the department. The commission was
informed that former chief Steve Madson had opted to terminate his P.O.S.T. license and
was no longer affiliated with the department.
Discussion was then held with regard to the presentation by Richard Setter on December 9,
2004. It was agreed that a group should be established to further look at where the
comm ission is and where they would like to see it in the future. It was decided that a group
containing the commissioners, a person from legal, from human resources, from
administration and from the police department should convene with a facilitator to
brainstorm and examine the focus of the commission. This will be done in the near future.
With there being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Tom Schwartz,
seconded by Donna Baysinger, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Time of adjournment was 8:40 a.m.
Donna Baysinger