08-19-2008 POLMHutchinson Police Commission Minutes
The Hutchinson Police Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at the
Hutchinson Emergency Operation Center. Present at the meeting were Mark Jelkin, Steve
Sherman, Julie Jensen, and Chief Daniel Hatten.
The meeting was called to order at 6:13 p.m.
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Chairperson Jelkin asked if there were any changes to the minutes from the July 9 meeting or
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the July 29 special meeting. With there being no changes, a motion was made by Julie
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Jensen, seconded by Steve Sherman, to approve the minutes from the July 9 and 29
meetings. Motion carried.
Chairperson Jelkin then asked for the update on the peace officer position. Chief Hatten
advised the commission that both individuals had graduated from skills and taken the peace
officer licensing exam. He stated that the results from the testing would not be known for a few
weeks. The majority of the backgrounds on both candidates have been completed. Hatten
stated that the psychological on Jason Larson was done and that due to the fact the Shelly
Schmidt is currently employed by the department as a communication specialist she is not
required to complete the psychological. The physical for both are scheduled and the goal is to
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have a September 8 hire date. Chairman Jelkin stated he knew we were in competition with
other agencies and inquired as to the probability that each applicant would accept the position
once everything was finalized. Chief Hatten stated that both are expected to accept once the
contingency is removed from the offer.
Chairperson Jelkin then asked for an update on the communication specialist. Chief Hatten
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stated that after the meeting on the 29, where the commission approved the eligibility roster,
the interviews were conducted on the top three candidates. He stated that a conditional offer
was made to Heather Daves which she accepted. Hatten informed the commission that the
background process was begun today. It was asked if this individual would have a September
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8 hire date as well. Chief Hatten stated that Ms. Daves has a more extensive work history
than the peace officer applicants and that it would most likely take a bit longer to complete.
Commissioner Sherman inquired as to Ms. Daves' basic background. Chief Hatten stated that
she is originally from Minot, North Dakota and currently living in Litchfield with her fiancé.
Chairperson Jelkin asked if there were any items from the floor. Chief Hatten was asked where
the council was at with the 2009 budget. He replied that no decisions had been made as of
today. He added that the council had requested an 8% cut across the board from each of the
directors and that this information had been supplied to the council. He stated that they needed
to look at the numbers and set priorities. He stated that the council needed to have the
proposed budget set by mid to late September.
With there being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Steve Sherman,
seconded by Julie Jensen, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Time of adjournment was 6:30 p.m.
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September 16, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Next Meeting to be held on .
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