Adopt Resolution #19-010 to Promote a Community Service Officer to Patrol Officer Filling the Current Vacancy

The purpose of this case is to request the City Council to Promote a Community Service Officer to the position of Patrol Officer,  filling the current Patrol Officer vacancy.  This promotion is to replace a Patrol  Officer that resigned.  

An internal recruitment was conducted.  The applicant met the necessary training and experience threshold and was invited to take part in the City's physical agility fitness testing and an interview.  The candidate also completed a "shoot/don't shoot" video scenario activity.  Staff selected Mr. Aaron Pipenhagen (the City's current Community Service Officer) as the finalist to be advanced to the psychological assessment and pre-employment physical and drug screen.  At this time, staff is recommending Mr. Aaron Pipenhagen for the position of Patrol Officer with the City of Ramsey.

With approval to promote Mr. Pipenhagen, the process to backfill the sworn officer position in the Police Department will be complete and staff will begin a recruitment process to replace the vacant C.S.O. position. 

With the City Council's authorization, Mr. Pipenhagen's start date as a new Patrol Officer will be on or near January 9, 2019.  Mr. Pipenhagen, as with all new Patrol Officers, will serve a 1-year probationary period and will be subject to the City's Personnel Policy and the LELS Patrol Labor Agreement. 

All Patrol Officers are covered by the LELS - Patrol Labor Agreement. 

Option #1: Hiring a fulltime Patrol Officer.  Staff recommends hiring a fulltime Patrol Officer to help fulfill the public safety needs of the City and to meet the goals of the strategic plan as it relates to this position.

Option #2 Not hiring a fulltime Patrol Officer.  Staff does not recommend this option due to likely repercussions such as a reduced ability to provide effective and timely public safety, i.e.:delays in response times and decreases in general patrol duties, including traffic enforcement and investigation.  Citizens would not see a squad driving by their residence as often if there are fewer officers on the department patrolling the neighborhoods and businesses. Calls for service have slowly increased as has the population and the City continues to add businesses; Officers are needed to meet the demand.  One of the Council’s strategic goals was to reduce response times, this cannot be accomplished with fewer officers.  Response time is a standard of measure indicated in the Balanced Scorecard for the City.

The funding required for this position is included in the 2019 budget. 

Authorize staff to move ahead with option #1 above to promote Mr. Aaron Pipenhagen to a full-time Patrol Officer, effective on or near January 9, 2019, at $26.52 per hour which is step 1 of the 2019 wage scale.

Motion to adopt resolution #19-010, to promote Mr. Aaron Pipenhagen to a full-time Patrol Officer, effective on or near January 9, 2019 at $26.52 per hour, which is step 1 of the 2019 wage scale.