Adopt Resolution #15-11-276 to Hire a Patrol Officer to Fill the Current Vacancy

The purpose of this case is to request the City Council to hire a Patrol Officer to fill the current vacancy in the Police Department.  As the City Council will recall, discussions took place at the June 23, 2015, work-session to address the departure of the City's current Crime Prevention Specialist and to consider whether or not filling the vacancy with a licensed officer rather than refilling it in its current capacity would be preferred.   The City Council discussed the approach to be taken to address the Police Department's overall tactic toward staffing for crime prevention, community policing, versatility within the department based on the type of employee hired, as well as the long-term staffing expectations in the Police Department.  (The applicable minutes from the June 23, 2015 work-session are attached.)  

In summary, the consensus of the City Council was for staff to conduct a recruitment for a Patrol Officer, to be hired on or near December 1, 2015.    Therefore, Staff conducted the recruitment and held first interviews with 15 candidates and second interviews with 5 candidates. In addition to the interview process, candidates were required to pass physical agility test and  a report writing exercise. The top 5 candidates were required to pass a "shoot / don't shoot" exercise and 3 candidates completed the background investigations paperwork.  

In the interim, the Police Chief assigned Officer Drew Moldenhauer to work as the City's second Community Resource Officer (a sworn role); hence creating a Patrol Officer vacancy which is being considered this evening.  This second Community Resource Officer role will serve on a rotating basis which provides for cross-training (as identified within the strategic plan) and career development amongst Officers which is positive for employee engagement.  As discussed previously, the Community Resource Officers bring great utility and flexibility because they are able to perform a wide array of duties, including the crime prevention duties, education, community-orientated policing services, but also creating efficiencies by being in the office to take statements and to address any variety of customer service needs on the spot, as well as being able to deploy to the streets as an armed Police Officer, either unexpectedly or to cover for any gaps in the patrol schedule due to vacations, sick leave, required trainings, etc.  

As a result of the recruitment, staff recommends Mr. Jesse Duerksen for the position of Patrol Officer with the city of Ramsey. Mr. Duerksen accepted the City's contingent job offer and has passed all of the necessary pre-employment testing. With the City Council's authorization, Mr. Duerksen will be hired on or near December 1, 2015, and he will be subject to a 1-year probationary period; all other personnel policies will apply normally.

Option #1: Hiring a 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.    The City continues to add businesses to the City and additional housing.  Officers are needed to meet the demands of our growing City.

The funding for this Patrol Officer position is covered within the 2015 budget and comes from the savings left over from the vacant Crime Prevention Specialist position with a remaining balance of approximately $17,116.  The funding required for December 2015 is approximately $6,667 and the 2016 funding is approximately $82,176.

Staff recommends that the City Council hire Mr. Jesse Duerksen, effective on or near December 1, 2015 at $23.44 per hour, which is step one of the 2015 wage scale.

Adopt resolution #15-11-276 to hire Mr. Jesse Duerksen, effective on or near December 1, 2015 at $23.44 per hour, which is step one of the 2015 wage scale.