Minutes: Evansville Police Commission: April 2008

EVANSVILLE POLICE COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Common Council Chambers, Third Floor, City Hall
Evansville, Wisconsin
April 07, 2008
6:30 p.m.
1. Roll call.
Commissioners in attendance: Karen Aikman, Scott Brummond, Kim Miller, and Wally
Shannon. Absent: Commissioner Steve Hagen. Members present constituted a quorum.
Also present: City Administrator Daniel Wietecha; Police Chief Scott McElroy, Officer
Candidate, and Members of the General Public.
2. Approval of minutes.
Minutes of the Commission’s meeting of November 7, 2007 were reviewed. Motion was
made by Aikman to approve the minutes as distributed and seconded by Shannon. Motion was
approved by voice vote.
3. Citizen Appearances.
None.
4. Complaint Process and Forms.
Brummond asked if anyone objected to reviewing the revised complaint process and forms at
point of order four rather than seven as indicated in the agenda. Seeing no objections, the
committee proceeded. After discussion, the Committee tabled the matter so that issues
regarding the first three paragraphs of the statement of charges and the need for a notary in the
application itself could be reviewed and possibly revised.
5. Chief’s Report:
a. Hiring Process
Chief McElroy described the changes to the hiring process to the committee. If approved, the
changes would bring a greater degree of screening and updates to the hiring information sheet
used in the process.
In addition, there was a discussion regarding the degree of authority the Police Commission
has over the Chief regarding every step he takes along the hiring process used by the
Department after the process is approved. The committee agreed that it did not wish to
micromanage the Department and that its review of and approval (or disapproval) of
candidates after the chief determines who worthy candidates is sufficient control by the
Commission.
There was also a discussion regarding the use of laypersons on the hiring committee put
together by the Police Department. The Commission agreed that this is an appropriate thing to
do.
Commissioner Aikman asked for clarification regarding Sections D and F in the Hiring
Process and pointed out some typos. Chief McElroy explained the Sections and agreed to
amend the wording under sections D and F to make it clearer.
Commissioner Brummond moved to approve the changes to the Hiring Process as amended.
Seconded by Shannon. The Motion to approve proposed changes to disciplinary procedure as
amended was approved by voice vote.
b. Officer Appointments.
The committee discussed the proposed appointment of officers to fill vacant police Office
position(s). A Packet of information regarding candidates was received by the Commission
Members.
Brummond Moved for the Commission to go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin
Statute Section 19.85(c) in order to discuss confidential information regarding candidates
proposed for appointment by the Chief to fill vacant position(s). Motion was approved by roll
call vote as follows:
Karen Aikman (
Yes)
Scott Brummond (
Yes)
Kim Miller (
Yes)
Wally Shannon (
Yes)
[Closed Session]
Brummond Moved for the Commission to leave closed session. Seconded by Miller. Motion
was approved by roll call vote as follows:
Karen Aikman (
Yes)
Scott Brummond (
Yes)
Kim Miller (
Yes)
Wally Shannon (
Yes)
Brummond moved to approve the recommended appointment of Christian Bennett as a full
time officer subject to a twelve month probationary period beginning on the date of hire,
Physical, Drug Screening, and Psychological Exam. Seconded by Aikman. Motion was
approved by voice vote.
Brummond moved to approve the recommended appointment of Benjamin Reimer as a part
time officer subject to a Physical, Drug Screening, and Psychological Exam. Seconded by
Miller. Motion was approved by voice vote.
Brummond moved to approve the recommended placement of candidate Cole Sargent on the
eligibility list for a full or part time position. Seconded by Shannon. Motion was approved by
voice vote.
6. Adjournment.
Motion to adjourn sine die by Miller, seconded by Aikman. Approved by voice vote.
Note: Minutes of the Commission are not official until approved by the Commission at a meeting
called and noticed for that purpose.