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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, August 13, 2018 <br /> Page 9 <br /> Councilmember Laliberte stated, as a follow-up, they did talk about a mental <br /> health liaison a year ago. At that time, they decided it was very important for all <br /> officers to have crisis intervention team (CIT) training. Councilmember Laliberte <br /> stated leaders from other communities have often asked her about that. She asked <br /> Chief Mathwig to comment on the decision of the Council to invest in CIT train- <br /> ing for every officer versus putting resources into one mental health officer and <br /> where they are at today. <br /> Chief Mathwig thanked City Manager Trudgeon for actively being involved in <br /> this and setting aside money in the budget for training to make it happen. He stat- <br /> ed they have 48 police officers on the payroll and in 2016, he made the decision <br /> to get started on CIT training, a 40-hour course. This was accomplished in 2017 <br /> and 2018. He thought the CIT models in place in Minnesota were shining exam- <br /> ples on how to train cops. Chief Mathwig noted the cost was approximately <br /> $54,000 to train the officers over a two-year period and as long as he is Chief for <br /> the City, every officer that is hired will be CIT trained within the first year of em- <br /> ployment. <br /> Mayor Roe asked about the dollar impact relating to the request for several offic- <br /> ers. <br /> Chief Mathwig stated they are looking at $80,000-$90,000 per officer per year. If <br /> they add one detective, they would not need another car. But if they added two <br /> detectives, they would need an additional car, approximately $20,000 plus <br /> $15,000 for radio equipment. If adding four or five officers, with three or four on <br /> patrol, one detective, one mental health liaison, and two or three additional cars, <br /> they would be looking at approximately$324,000. <br /> Mayor Roe asked if the$90,000 was for salary and benefits. <br /> Chief Mathwig answered in the affirmative. <br /> Mayor Roe asked if there was public comment for this item. <br /> Public Comment <br /> Ms.Jan Silliman, 1244 Belaire Circle <br /> Ms. Jill Eck, 1240 Belaire Circle <br /> Ms. Silliman stated they support their police and appreciate everything they do for <br /> the community. She also appreciated the notices posted. She stated they have <br /> lived on Belaire Circle for 34 years and within three days in the last week, two <br /> cars were stolen, a garage was broken into, and the car in the garage was rifled <br /> through. There are only eight houses on the cul-de-sac and they are all looking at <br /> additional security and trying to figure out what they can do. <br />