Adopt Resolution #16-05-099 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, a Patrol Officer was hired on November 10, 2015 and departed City employment  on January 29, 2016.  

Staff determined the previous recruitment file did not have the potential to result in a successful hiring process; therefore, a new recruitment was conducted.  Following the recruitment closing date, approximately 27 candidates participated in the physical agility test.   Candidates passing the physical agility test were invited to interview with the City. Staff held first interviews with 17 candidates and 7 candidates were interviewed a second time. The top 7 candidates were required to pass a "shoot / don't shoot" video scenario and a report writing exercise.   Three candidates underwent the background investigation process and one candidate was selected for advancement.  

As a result of the above mentioned process, staff recommends Mr. Brandon Elliott for the position of Patrol Officer with the city of Ramsey. Mr. Elliott accepted the City's contingent job offer and has passed all of the necessary pre-employment testing. With the City Council's authorization, Mr. Elliott will be hired on or near June 1, 2016, 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 position is covered within the 2016 budget at approximately $47,936 (June - December).

Staff recommends option #1 above to hire Mr. Brandon Elliott, effective on or near June 1, 2016 at $24.56 per hour, which is step one of the 2016 wage scale.

Adopt resolution #16-05-099 to hire Mr. Brandon Elliott, effective on or near June, 1, 2016 at $24.56 per hour, which is step one of the 2016 wage scale.