2011_03_08_Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Roseville Human Rights Commission DRAFT Minutes—January 11, 2011 Page 2 of 5 47 Police Chief Mathwig introduced himself and spoke about Roseville's Police Department. He has 48 been in law enforcement for 23 years, with 22 years in Roseville. He started as a patrol officer and 49 moved up the ranks to Police Chief in June, after serving as Acting Chief for nine months. 50 51 The Roseville Police Department is budgeted for 49 sworn officers, seven civilian staff and two 52 part-time Community Services Officers. The City also has 20 volunteer reserves who have varied 53 interests—some giving back to the community and some working toward a career in law 54 enforcement. He said the Department relies on the volunteers for many things, and their service 55 greatly enhances the department's service to the community. 56 57 Chief Mathwig said the police do about 18,000-19,000 traffic stops and 18,000-19,000 calls for 58 services each year. These range from vandalism, thefts, burglaries, firearms and other calls. He said 59 because Roseville has such a strong retail presence, stores draw criminals to the area. Most of those 60 arrested are people who are not from Roseville. Mathwig compared Roseville's crime rate to that of 61 Richfield and Bloomington. Mathwig explained that 87% of the Police Department's budget is 62 spent on personnel and the remaining costs pay for dispatch services, vehicles, K-9 units and the 63 East Metro SWAT. 64 65 Chief Mathwig highlighted recent activities that the Department has undertaken to meet with the 66 community. These include the New American/Karen Community dialogue cosponsored with the 67 Human Rights Commission, holiday Adopt-a-Family program in which officers donated their own 68 money to sponsor families, Shop With a Cop program, St. Bernard's Church partnership to provide 69 food and clothing for members of the Karen community, and Street Crime IMPACT. IMPACT 70 targets areas deemed high risk or areas that have seen a recent increase in crime. Officers devote 71 extra time and resources to the areas to get to know community members and to work together to 72 prevent crime. 73 74 Chief Mathwig also mentioned their efforts to work with local hotels and motels to promote safety 75 and to build relationships. 76 77 Chief Mathwig said the department is starting a mentoring program for high school students 78 interested in law enforcement. 79 80 Chair Singleton opened the floor for discussion. 81 82 Commissioner Grefenberg asked whether the Community Relations Coordinator position is funded 83 on an ongoing basis. Chief Mathwig affirmed that it was. 84 85 Commissioner Grefenberg asked whether gay employees get the same bereavement leave as all 86 other employees. Chief Mathwig said the City will soon release a new employee handbook, but he 87 believed that all members of a household received the same benefits. 88 89 Commissioner Grefenberg asked whether the Explorer Scout program was still going on. Chief 90 Mathwig said it was and explained that it is a program for young men and women interested in a 91 career in law enforcement. He credited Sgt. Greg Levendoski for developing the program and 92 keeping it running.