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REGULAR MEETING MAY 29, 2012 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />when you are at the point where you are making a decision about one leader it is almost too late <br />from the perspective of the overall diversity of the force and it’s going to be a long term effort, <br />but with help from the community in terms of getting the word out that we are very much <br />seeking to have a broader base of people apply in the first place, to Police and Fire Department <br />positions. He stated that over time we should see a result that he all thinks we want to see, which <br />is a force that reflects the make-up of the community they protect. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that will all due respect if it is the same strategy that is <br />already been in place then how do we expect different results. <br /> <br />Mayor Buttigieg stated that we have to add that strategy, but he doesn’t think that they should <br />stop the practice of reaching out to minority applicants with extra emphasis. He stated that he <br />thinks that is the right thing to do, if we feel impatient about the results maybe we can add on <br />other approaches to that, but he certainly doesn’t think that we should stop the good work that <br />was being done under former Chief Boykins and being continued under Chief Hurley. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis stated that it’s not working. <br /> <br />Mayor Buttigieg stated that he is very receptive to suggestions about what will work. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis reiterated that the number was 30 people who are of minority <br />decent out of 260, it’s clearly not working. <br /> <br />Mayor Buttigieg asked if Councilmember Henry Davis could suggest any other things that we <br />might add. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis stated that he has many suggestions such as starting a mentoring <br />program with out youth in high schools. He thinks that we should do a lot of class recruitment <br />with the minorities coming out of college. He thinks that we should do more of a nation-wide <br />searches coupled with some housing programs for these minorities officers who would want to <br />live in our city. He stated that he could keep on going. <br /> <br />Mayor Buttigieg asked Councilmember Henry Davis if he would be willing to draft up a letter <br />that would help them in their process. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis stated that he would definitely do that. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic stated that he thought the Fire Department’s goal of reflecting <br />the City’s population white, black, Latino, he thought on those statistics for the Fire Department, <br />correct him if he is wrong, but less than 20% across the board qualified in tests to become a Fire <br />Fighter. He reiterated he could be wrong on the percentage, but that is what he calculated from <br />the article this morning. <br /> <br />Mayor Buttigieg stated that it is a very selective process. It is one of the reasons why it is <br />difficult to get to the results that they want. He reiterated that it’s clear that we have to do more. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis asked is that why there aren’t minorities? <br /> <br />Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic stated across the board. <br /> <br />Councilmember White stated that as we move forward with the search for the Police Chief, it’s <br />critical that we become as open and transparent as possible that we allow all the various <br />constituents that will be impacted. She stated that it is safe to say that we have some challenges <br />as well as opportunities for this community. Challenges in regard to ensuring that as we move <br />forward with the search for the Police Chief: 1. That were are actually moving towards a process <br />that will yield the best candidate for the position. She stated that she cannot think of any position <br />that’s not saying that position that we have within the administration that includes the Council <br /> 9 <br /> <br />