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" . Minutes of RBgulur Councl I Meeting October I I, 1977 Page th rea Steve Colestock said in former years, Ramsey County may have made some sense; now Arden HII Is is expanding by tremendous developments; If dIs- solve our police department now, we' r I want our own department again. Roseville is the best police department in the arell; service Is excel- lent. You state the "morale" of the Arden Hills pollee Is bad; this has to be "bunk"; they are going out of their way to do a job for the City. Colestock said "bigger Is better" is not true; have dedicated officers - only way to go is to keep our departmsnt. Colestock said Doug McCa II has dona a tremendous job as Acting Police Chief - is dedicated; difficult to find in a large department. Crichton said that McCall is one of the candidates for Chief; recom- mendations have not been made to Counclr as yet, pending determination . of whether or not the Arden Hills Police Department Is retained. Shlrlev Tufte (Dunlap) said the Arden Hills police greeted them when they moved to Arden Hills, sees Arden Hills police In her neighbor- hood, likes hevlng a police department she knows; good for children to know police are there to help them. We know our police; lets keep them. Donna Slmontella (sp?), Arden Manor, said she used to work nights; felt secure because Arden Hills policed in the tral~ar park, would respond in a few minutes. Crepeau said It could be that we'd have the same off I cers It we go Ramsey County. Ted ROYce said he can't believe there's one kid In Arden Hills that does not have respect for the Ardon Hills officers; they understand the kid~ and the kids, the poJ ice; this makes the difference. Lynn Roach said she doesn't believe that by holding a meeting In a room this size, the Council is doing the job they were elected to do. Schrader - a new comer to Arden Hills, said he would not heve moved to Arden HII Is if he thought the pollee department was to be abolished. Brandt Kretch said he has been happy with the Arden Hills police; dedicated service all the years he has i Ived here; would like to keep the pollee force if at ell posslb~e. Frank Stanton, resident since 1950, Is interested In the Police Depart- ment; is on the committee to screen and select a Police Chief; recogn I zes that a fine po~lce department must have a leader they respect; If we cannot get a strong chief who can command respect of ail the officers, It Is time to make the very dlfficu(t decision, which may not be popuHar, but honest, end teke advantage of fu!ler service with strong leadership. Crichton said that if we cannot gst a leader, then we should go with the County. Hanson expialned that the Councli has been concerned about the depart- ment since the retlrem9nt of the Chief; asked Lt. McCaii, in March, on a temporar~ besls, to shape ~p the deperTment during periOd of time Counc II looks for a chief. ,. Bob Witt said he can underst~nd toe poor morale of the department; asked w~y it has been 8 months without a leader; level of training Is the responsibility of the Council. Woodburn said this Is correct; department has been operating short-handed; resources are limited; difficult to send key people for training and cover the shifts with number of officers we have. ~ seld it Is poor judgement to dissolve the department when City has surpius funds; asked what department will cost to maintain and the reason Counci i wants to dlsso~ve police department. O~e Locey said he discussed the matter with residents on Ingerson Road; would fsv.or Ramsey County service - are not under the impression we'd get less service, same people would serve the City if we ask for them, except Ramsey County cannot take on the part-time officers. Crichton explained that we'd have 6 officers with Ramsey County; 6 officers, plus a Chief, If Arden Hills department. -3- -------------^--