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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/2001 BFPC minutes Village of Mount Prospect 112 E. Northwest Highway Mount Prospect. Illinois 60056 BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS Phone 847/870-5656 Ext. 303 MINUTES July 17, 2001 PRESENT: CHRISTOPHER LENZ, Chairman MARIE COTTEN, Secretary ROBERT McKILLOP, Commissioner CLYDE BROOKS, Commissioner ABSENT: CLAUDE BJORK, Commissioner Chairman Lenz called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Brooks and seconded by Commissioner McKillop to accept the minutes of the open meeting of June 6' 2001 . Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, McKillop, Brooks Nays: None Motion carried. INTRODUCTION OF NEWPOLICE CHIEF Recently appointed Chief of Police Richard Eddington was welcomed. Each commissioner introduced themselves with a brief background of themselves. Chief Eddington gave a brief background of his experience. Chairperson Lenz described the activities and procedures of the BOFPC. He mentioned the need for a BOFPC secretary. The chief stated that he should have one hired by August 6th. Chairperson Lenz agreed to prepare agendas and minutes until the new secretary was hired. Commissioner McKillop stressed the importance of having the commission represented at promotional ceremonies and retirement functions. REVIEW OF POLICE NEW HIRE & PROMOTIONAL TESTING PROCESSES Chief Eddington distributed information related tothe new hire process. He requested that the commission approve a new hire test as soon as possible. The department has 2 openings and the last 3 candidates on the existing list have been sent for polygraphs. The next academy is in October, however Chief Eddington is considering asking the village manager to allow us to offer positions prior to that, so that we don't lose the candidates to another department. Because the positions are currently vacant, there would not be a budget concern. Chief Eddington expressed concern about the current list expiring. Chairperson Lenz mentioned that the current list should not be expiring soon due to the fact that we have been testing 2 times per year for the last couple of years. Chief Eddington announced that he is planning on expanding the department recruitment efforts. He will be reviewing the list of publications that have been used for advertising, he also plans on establishing contacts at several community colleges throughout the area as well as continuing efforts already started with Western Illinois University. Deputy Chief Condon had recently attended a recruitment conference and based on information he received he wants to start a community outreach recruitment program. He would arrange to circulate flyers at churches or other social functions. This will help towards the goal of having the department mirror the community in terms of ethnic make up. Chief Eddington is having investigator Nagel research a program that would involve the school resource officers developing a career path that starts at early ages to try and get youth interested in police work. Chairperson Lenz offer the services of commission members at any recruiting events that the Chief feels would be appropriate. Chief Eddington mentioned a new precertification program at Western Illinois University. If that program gets up and running, the Chief may ask the commission to give those candidates some type of special consideration. Chief Eddington requested that the study list for the Sergeants test be reviewed, he would like to change the focus of the test towards community oriented policing and problem oriented policing. This is the direction that he would like to take the department. Chairperson Lenz asked the Chief to present a completed proposal for the new hire process at the next BOFPC meeting in August. Chief Eddington stated that he has reviewed the process and it is acceptable to him. He will have a proposal ready. Chief Eddington stated that Acting Deputy Chief Condon would be coordinating the new hire process. Chairperson Lenz reviewed the current staffing status of the department for both the officers and sergeants. 2 vacancies for officers with 3 candidates still in process. The current new hire list is depleted. Zero vacancies for sergeant, the current promotional list is depleted. Chief Eddington stated that as soon as the new hire process is underway, he will start to develop the promotional process. The first step in the promotional process will be to publish a revised study list for the candidates. Actual test dates can be set at a later time. Chairperson Lenz explained that the commission is unfamiliar with the promotional testing process. Acting Deputy Chief Condon gave an overview of the testing process. It is an assessment center type process and has been in use since 1981. Laser and Associates of Chicago run the process. Commissioner McKillop expressed support for this type of process. Chairperson Lenz asked the commissioners to review the Sergeant testing information provided and be prepared to discuss it at the next BOFPC meeting. He also asked that a representative of Laser and Associates be invited to the next meeting. IFPCA lEGISLATION Chairperson Lenz informed the commission that the IFPCA has drafted legislation to be considered by the Illinois House of Representatives in Springfield concerning the Fire Department promotional process. Chairperson Lenz gave a brief history of this issue. Copies of the proposed legislation were distributed to all commissioners for review. This will be an agenda item at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for August 7, 2001, at 5:30pm. On a motion by Commissioner Brooks and seconded by Commissioner McKillop, the meeting was adjourned on a unanimous vote at 6:10p.m. Minutes transcribed and approved by Christopher Lenz: . Jy{Y Christopherl'le , Chairman oi?/cl! . / ,\'. ,".il " ,,', ,;')/t>;:"t/ Màri~ Cotten, Secretary J .. l , <. I .';' i ¡I ¡' j! ¡ v . i I Date Date