10/03/07 Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting

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health and Pub~i~ safety ar~r~jttee ~ctobe~ 3, ~0~~ Page Dr. Varner stated that he believes that the proposal has been introduced with the "best of intentions". He inquired about the number of pror~otions the proposed system would address and was advised that it would be seven ~~}, Dr. darner stated that "openness and fairness" must be benchmarks of a systr~ far it to work. He questioned why only one ~~} n~en~ber of the police department would sit on the baard and why that position was the only one suggested to have term limits. Ho noted that the City Administration cores to the Council to establish a system and the "takes the Corn~on Council out of the equation"~ He stressed the need far equity and seeking the rnast qualified applicants. He further noted that Pat Bauer should change the state law to the tap two ~} tiers of the police administration instead of the tap three ~} being within the Mayor's domain, He Hated that these are his preliminary observations and that he does not see any reason to "act on this real soon'. Citizen Member Pamela Brunette voiced concerns about testing; inquired have other Indiana police departments were addressing thin and have the officers were feeling about the proposal, Chief Kautz stated that IPSP, Inc provides serrrices far Evansville and 1P. He stated that it depends on how long an officer has been on the department with the younger officers appearing to be mare receptive. Council Member Iluhite suggested that all questions which are not addressed today should be sent to the Council Attorney o that they can be then all sent to Chief l='autz for comment. Council Member Pfeifer stated that she agrees that their needs to be a fair process, She voiced concern over lotting a person on the police department with same thing in his~her background, and then when it is time for promotion that that item in higher background is used against the officer. Council Member Pfeifer also Hated concern aver written testing since many tests are set up far a person to fail; and that all types of persons who have many different strengths should be selected. She stated that there should be no bias at all in the testing and the`people siCill" should be a key and equal component, slang with being able to communicate, Council Member Dieter stated that in the draft proposal he believes the 15°l~ far the written examination to be "way too lows', although he understands the concerns raised by Council Mer~ber Pfeifer. He Hated that a person can have good "street sense" skills, and would agree with her an that concept. Council Member Dieter questioned why a process of discussion with the union like that which tank place with the dire Administration and the fire union over several months did Hat take place with the police