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09-16-2008 POLMHutchinson Police Commission Minutes The Hutchinson Police Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 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 5:25 p.m. th Chairperson Jelkin asked if there were any changes to the minutes from the August 19 meeting. With there being no changes, a motion was made by Steve Sherman, seconded by th Julie Jensen, to approve the minutes from the August 19 meeting. Motion carried. Chief Hatten then had each of the new officers introduce themselves to the Commission. First was new full-time officer Shelley Schmidt who stated that she had grown up in the Hutchinson area, is married with three children, attended Ridgewater College for her degree and attended skills training at Alexandria. She also stated that she had been working as a part-time communication specialist for the department. Next was new full-time officer Jason Larson who stated that he had grown up in Brainerd but that his father was originally from Hutchinson and he has relatives in the community. He stated that he is married and they just bought a house in town and that he had also attended skills in Alexandria. Last was new part-time officer Tyler Duenow who stated that he was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota but moved to the Hutchinson area when we has two. He stated that he attended Ridgewater College and at this time he has not yet completed the skills course. He has worked as a park patrol officer for the department for three summers. Chief Hatten advised the commission that the P.O.S.T. board allows the department to have three part-time licenses. Sgt. Joe Nagel then addressed the Commission to explain what it will be like for the officers in field training. Nagel stated that they would be completing the two-week orientation by the end of the week. A ten-week field training would then take place where they will first observe various aspects of the job and by the end would be performing the tasks. After the ten-weeks they have a one-week evaluation phase where the sergeants ride along to determine if they are ready to be on their own. By the end of the process they will have had 400 hours each in the training program. It was asked if they carried a full duty belt during this time. Sgt. Nagel informed the Commission that they all had been training and authorized to carry the various equipment on the duty belt. It was also asked who the individuals who perform the training are. Sgt. Nagel stated that there are four field training officers (FTO’s) who would do the majority of the training, however all of the sergeants are also FTO’s and they would also do some of the training due to the number going through the program. Chief Hatten then advised the Commissioners that at th the October 30 station meeting these officers would be sworn in as officers for the department. Mark Jelkin asked if the officers were re-evaluated once they down with the field training program where someone rides along with them. Chief Hatten stated that they officers are on probation for the remainder of the year. He stated that they meet with their supervisor once a month during the probation period but they are not observed unless the department is seeing a problem. Chief Hatten also informed the Commission that the new officers are given an opportunity to evaluate the field training program. Chairperson Jelkin then asked for an update on the communication specialist. Chief Hatten stated that the physical and psychological evaluations had been completed. He stated that he was still waiting on paperwork from previous employers. Hatten said that the department has stayed in close contact with Ms. Daves’ to inform her where things were at in the process. Jelkin inquired as to how long the department would wait for the paperwork before moving on in the process. Chief Hatten stated that this would be evaluated next week whether to just move forward or not if the paperwork had not been received. Police Commission Meeting June 10, 2008 Page 2 The next item on the agenda was with regard to the article that had been in the Hutchinson Leader regarding officers from the department looking at unionization. Chief Hatten stated that a petition had been filed to conduct a vote for unionization with the Teamsters. It was asked if it had been stated by the officers what they felt the benefit would be. Hatten stated that in most instances unionization occurs for better wages, benefits, working conditions and as a level of protection for the employees. It was asked what percentage filed the petition. Hatten stated that it only required having 4 or 5 officers sign the petition to get it started and that 51% was required in order to become a union. It was inquired if it did go union would every officer be required to join the union to which Chief Hatten stated yes they would. The commission also asked what percentage of police departments in Minnesota are unions. Chief Hatten estimated 90% was an estimate adding that most small departments of one or two officers are not unionized. It was asked of Chief Hatten if anyone in the city had ever been part of a union. Hatten stated that the city has never had a union, however, Hutchinson Utilities did join a union and they are in some regard part of the city. The commission inquired as to what has changed, i.e. tools, wages; that some of the officers wish to unionize. Chief Hatten stated that the members of the department are younger now and do not have the history of what has occurred in the past and he sees the officers buying into the fears of wage cuts, reduction of benefits and job loss. Hatten said that with a union contract the city must uphold the issues stated in the agreement and the officers hope that it will help with other working conditions. Chief Hatten pointed out that the city has historically compensated all city employees well with regard to pay, benefits and working conditions. Hatten said that once the ruling comes back with who is to be included in the work group they will mail out the ballots for the vote. Julie Jensen asked if Chief Hatten had any numbers with regard to who is pro, anti or indifferent. Hatten responded that he would not take a guess as to the numbers. Mark Jelkin inquired as to if human resources could speak with employees with regard to their compensation and benefits. Chief Hatten stated that once the notice was received with regard to the petition there was a “gag” order placed on police department administration and the city in speaking with employees so as not to persuade or influence the officers. He did add that some employees have approached human resources to find out what has been historically done with compensation. Steve Sherman asked if this impacts the interaction between the officers. Chief Hatten stated that if it does go to a union there would be no change with the interaction. Sherman clarified his question asking if there is a problem now. Chief Hatten stated that yes there was some tension but that is to be expected. It was asked if surrounding communities are union or not. Hatten stated that Glencoe, Willmar and McLeod County are all union. They asked if the Teamsters have a different pay range that what the city has and Chief Hatten responded that they calculate it using different scales but they are fairly close in dollars. Commissioner Jensen asked why this was not brought up at the last meeting and Chief Hatten stated that he did not know at that time the implications of the petition and what could and could not be discussed. Hatten stated that the union is to protect the employees and that the police commission is also to protect the employees. Finally, Chief Hatten stated that if the sergeants are included in the work group the only positions out of the union are the lieutenant and the chief. Chairperson Jelkin asked if there were any items from the floor. Chief Hatten wanted to let the th Commission know that the 34 Annual Arts & Crafts Festival had been completed and that the department had received many compliments and thanks from the chamber, vendors and customers. Police Commission Meeting June 10, 2008 Page 3 With there being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Julie Jensen, seconded by Steve Sherman, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Time of adjournment was 6:25 p.m. st October 21, 2008 at 5:30 pm Next Meeting to be held on . _______________________________