05-15-2007 POLMHutchinson Police Commission Minutes
The Hutchinson Police Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the
Hutchinson Emergency Operation Center. Present at the meeting were Barry Anderson, Mark
Jelkin, Tom Schwartz, and Chief Daniel Hatten.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Chairperson Barry Anderson asked if there were
any changes to the minutes from the last meeting. With there being none, a motion was then
made by Mark Jelkin, seconded by Tom Schwartz, to approve the minutes. Motion carried.
Chief Hatten then stated that the Communication Specialist position had not been advertised as
yet and was requesting of the commission to revise the motion at the April meeting. He stated
that the department has a possibility of a vacancy for a full-time Communication Specialist. He
stated that he would like the commission to consider advertising for both full and part-time
positions. He explained that by doing this anyone hired as a part-time communication specialist
would have the ability to move into a full-time vacancy due to the fact they would have gone
through the entire hiring process. Applicants would be able to designate on their application
what position they are interested in obtaining – part-time, full-time or either position. Mark Jelkin
inquired if this would affect the department budget. Hatten stated that it would not affect the
budget since a full-time position would only be offered if there was a vacancy. A motion was
made by Mark Jelkin, seconded by Tom Schwartz, to advertise for both full and part-time
communications. Motion carried.
The commission then inquired where the hiring process was for part-time officer and bicycle
patrol. Chief Hatten stated that the application process for part-time officer position would be
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closing on May 31. He stated that the department had one bicycle patrol officer returning for
his third year and the other two positions were being filled with new employees.
Discussion was then held regarding the Rules and Regulations. Section 5, Subdivisions B and
E were revisited along with Section 11, Subdivision E and Section 13.
Chief Hatten then verified with the Commissioners that they had received the current copy of the
city employee handbook and compensation plan. Hatten then provided each commissioner with
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a copy of a letter of commendation that he would be presented at the May 22 station meeting
recognizing four employees for the work they did regarding a robbery. Chairperson Anderson
then asked the chief what advice he could give a resident who has a neighbor that is repeatedly
contacting the police complaining and making false accusations.
Commissioner Jelkin then asked for a status report with regard to Officer Schuette’s grievance.
Chief Hatten stated that City Administrator Gary Plotz had upheld the initial decision and that
the League of Minnesota Cities had also concurred. He stated that the grievance procedure
had been exhausted and when asked Officer Schuette had not made a decision if he planned
on exploring any other avenues available.
With there being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Mark Jelkin, seconded
by Tom Schwartz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Time of adjournment was 6:50 p.m.
Next Meeting to be held on June 12, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.
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