CC_Minutes_2015_0209 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 9,2015 Page 27 a. Approve Creation of a Police Cadet Position within the Police Department Police Chief Rick Mathwig and Community Relations Coordinator Cory Yunke were present for this item. Chief Mathwig advised that this request was basically to resurrect the Cadet posi- tion removed in 2003; and provided an historical perspective of that former posi- tion, and requested reinstatement of the position to link the police department to and make it more representative of the community it served. Chief Mathwig not- ed that the job description had been created in the 1990's as a reaction to potential officer applicants nearing the end of their educational program who were often at- tracted to other competing communities or agencies due to no vacancies in Rose- ville until an officer position opened up. Chief Mathwig summarized requirements for officer licensure in the State of MN. Chief Mathwig noted that the Roseville Police Department was now served by its reserve officers and three community service officer (CSO) positions,but found it needed the addition of the Cadet position to make it ready to recruit qualified ap- plicants. As with many police agencies, Chief Mathwig noted that the City found itself behind the growing and diverse demographics of Roseville in representing the City's minority groups within the department itself and the community it served. Chief Mathwig advised that the Cadet job description was modeled after the successful Brooklyn Center program and their leadership team, using lessons learned from them and their recommendations to not mix the Cadet and CSO po- sitions. Further details were provided in the RCA, lines 41 —45. Chief Mathwig advised that the intent was to prove the benefit of the program during the remainder of 2015, convincing the City Council of the position's valid- ity for the 2016 budget cycle. Chief Mathwig advised that funding for 2015 could be covered by grants, donations, forfeiture funds, and unused salary related to timing of hires for two current vacancies in the department. Mr. Yunke echoed Chief Mathwig, opining that this provided a great opportunity to address disparities with minorities applying for jobs, and provided tuition reim- bursement. Mr. Yunke referenced his current work with soccer camps, and expe- rience in recruitment through Century College in support of this requested Cadet position. Councilmember Etten noted his request of Chief Mathwig by earlier e-mail ex- change seeking long-term impacts for a full year's salary beyond 2015 and hiring timeframe compared to the estimated in April or May of 2015 and partial year costs. Chief Mathwig noted the estimates, as detailed in lines 57 — 59 of the RCA, mir- roring the CSO salary range.