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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-051 MAPLEWOOD CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES October 14, 2005 The October 14, 2005 meeting was called to order at 8:32 a.m. Members Present: Marlene Palkovich, Chair Debra Birkholz, Secretary Steve Gunn Others Present: Chief David Thomalla Deputy Chief John Banick Commission Liaison Sherrie Le Approval of Minutes Commissioner Gunn made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 7, 2005 meeting. Commissioner Birkholz seconded the motion. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion carried. Establish Promotional Eligibility List for Police Officer Sherrie Le went over the exam results for the police officer promotional exam. She explained that we gave the same oral exam as we gave to the last group of outside candidates for police officer. After discussion, there was a motion made by Commissioner Gunn to accept the exam results and establish the Police Officer Promotional Eligibility List. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Birkholz. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion carried. Chief Thomalla explained that the background investigation has not yet been started as there is no current vacancy. Sergeant Exam Process and Posting The Commission discussed the minimum qualifications, particularly the educational requirements and how they have slowly increased over time - with a 2-3 year notice. There was discussion of why we don’t currently require a bachelor’s degree as some other jurisdictions require a bachelor’s degree for the position of police officer. The possibility of increasing the educational qualifications to a bachelor’s degree was discussed. No action was taken. Commissioner Gunn made a motion to accept the sergeant posting and exam process. Commissioner Birkholz seconded the motion. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion approved. There was then discussion of the exam components. Sherrie Le explained the written exam we have used and like is the PDI Police Career Index. She passed out descriptions of the written and Promotability exams from PDI and described the exam and the validation process for Maplewood and the scoring. The PDI Promotability rating was discussed in detail including how supervisors rate officers. Chair Palkovich suggested that the results of the Promotability Rating exam could be used as a training tool and discussion followed regarding how management works with officers to develop skills and abilities and how feedback is provided. In response to a question by Commissioner Birkholz, Sherrie Le stated that both exams are scored by PDI. 2 Chief Thomalla explained that there are about 15 officers eligible to take the exams. Some employees will choose not to apply, some because they prefer to stay as an officer. The selection of panel members for the oral exam was then discussed. Chief Thomalla explained that they normally use an outside Lieutenant (or higher ranking officer) and the Deputy Chief and a Lieutenant internally. Lieutenant Exam Process and Posting Commissioner Gunn moved to accept the Lieutenant Posting and exam process. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Birkholz. Discussion included the minimum qualifications. The educational requirement that will be effective in 2007 was adopted shortly after the last posting in 2002. Chief Thomalla is not aware of anyone with four years of college that does not have a bachelor’s degree. Chief Thomalla and Deputy Chief Banick discussed the Inbasket Exam that they developed and used last time. Sherrie Le read the minutes from a Commission meeting, after the exam was held, where some of the candidates praised the Inbasket exam as being very job-relevant and fair. It includes items Lieutenants do here in Maplewood on a regular basis. Scoring is done by two outside panel members. The oral exam panel consists of the Deputy Chief and the two high ranking outside law enforcement staff. Commissioner Gunn asked whether the City Manager supports the exam process and Sherrie Le stated the Manager has always supported the processes used. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0 Motion Carried. There was further discussion of when the postings would go up. Sherrie Le indicated it is extremely busy right now in HR but they would go up within two weeks. Other Chair Palkovich asked about the crime rate in Maplewood. Chief Thomalla stated that Maplewood now has the 9th highest traffic crash volume in the State. He stated that in 2003, among cities our size in Minnesota, we had the most crimes and the most arrests. In 2004, we dropped to 2nd in total arrests, with Mankato taking the lead. Most crimes have remained relatively flat over the past several years. The areas that increased are burglary, assault and theft from vehicles, the latter seeing a 69% increase. Chief Thomalla thinks the number and size of nightclubs may be related to the increase in assaults. He also stated that crimes are becoming increasingly more complex which takes considerably longer to investigate. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m., motion by Commissioner Gunn, seconded by Commissioner Birkholz. Respectfully submitted, Sherrie Le Commission Liaison