09-06-2005 POLM
HUTCHINSON POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES
The Hutchinson Police Commission held a meeting on September6,2005, at the
Hutchinson Police Department Emergency Operations Center. Present at the meeting
were Barry Anderson, Donna Baysinger, Tom Schwartz, Mayor Steve Cook, City
Administrator Gary Plotz, City Attorney Marc Sebora, Human Resource Director Brenda
Ewing, Council Member Casey Stotts, and Chief Dan Hatten.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Chairperson Barry Anderson asked if there
were any changes to the minutes from the last meeting. A motion was made by Donna
Baysinger, seconded by Tom Schwartz, to accept the minutes. Motion carried.
Chief Hatten then began addressing the packet of items sent out to the commission that
contained various documents dealing with the hiring process. The packet contained a
summary of the three individuals at the top of the eligibility roster as prepared by Sgt. Joe
Nagel, a copy of the performance appraisal used by the department, the "Interview
Analysis" forms for the first and second interviews, the applications of the three individuals
at the top of the eligibility roster, a draft of the hiring procedure - step-by-step of what we
do vs. what we want to do, and a draft of the interview panel members.
The commission had requested that a summary be completed of the top three applicants.
This was done and presented to the members. It was discussed as to what format they
preferred - paragraph vs. check box vs. combination of the two. It was also discussed that
the commission would like to see a break down of all the scores instead of just a final
number. This would give the commission a better idea of where an individual excels. Chief
Hatten stated that this is a work-in-progress and that the point would be reached where it is
set.
Discussion was then held on the "hiring procedure" steps as laid out in the draft. Each step
was discussed with changes or additions needing to be made for number 9, 11, 12, 15 and
18. Chief Hatten stated that the "hiring procedure" would be revised to incorporate the
concerns addressed. The commission stated that they would like to have prior to the next
meeting the written examination as well as the questions used in the three interviews.
A list of the current employee roster including the duties and responsibilities associated with
each had been sent out to the commissioners in the packet. After a brief discussion it was
requested that they also receive a list that included each department member's years of
service. This will be sent out prior to the next meeting.
Chairperson Anderson then asked if there were any items from the floor. Casey Stotts
spoke to the commissioners stating that they should think about becoming a commission of
5 vs. 3. He stated that with the duties of the commission expanding the responsibilities
could be spread out further with a larger commission. He also stated that with there only
being three individuals it hindered they ability to discuss issues due to open meeting laws
and quorum. It was stated that if this were something that would occur it would be
Police Commission
September 6, 2005
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necessary to determine when the new members would join the commission. It was also
discussed that some police commissions - for example Shakopee - determine at their
mandated February meeting the dates for the commission meetings for the entire year. It
was discussed that they would not be limited to those dates and dates could be canceled if
there was nothing to discuss but it would eliminate the calling around to set a meeting date.
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 8:05 p.m.
Donna Baysinger