10.2. SR 04-06-2015City of
Elk
River
Request for Action
To
Item Number
Mayor and City Council
10.2
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Work Session
Aril 6, 2015
Ron Nierenhausen, Police Chief
Item Description
Reviewed by
Community Service Officer Vacancy
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Receive information, discuss, and provide staff direction regarding a vacant Community Service Officer
(CSO) position.
Background /Discussion
The police department currently has three full-time CSOs allocated and budgeted. CSOs are non -sworn
officers that provide vital support to the department and the community. CSOs assist with traffic control
at accident or crime scenes, assist with vehicle lockouts, manage the animal control program and manage
the crime prevention program. The CSO position is frequently a stepping stone for individuals interested
in becoming licensed police officers.
In 2012, Chief Rolfe proposed changing one vacant CSO position into two part -time positions. The
intent was to improve coverage with eight additional hours of coverage in lieu of full-time benefits. The
positions would be geared to law enforcement students who would gain vital "on the street" experience
as they continue their education and allow them to demonstrate their skills for pending future Elk River
PD vacancies. The recruitment of new officers is very expensive and time- consuming and service as a
CSO in our organization would expedite this important vetting period.
Unfortunately following Council approval, our 2013 recruitment for two part -time CSOs was
unsuccessful. We felt we had a strong candidate who was interested in a full-time position and Chief
Rolfe asked the Council to consider returning the position to one full-time position. Following Council
approval, Amy Berglund was offered and accepted a full-time CSO position. CSO Berglund recently left
city employment to pursue a police officer position with another department
With the new vacancy, command staff reviewed department and community needs and again would like
try and fill our current full-time CSO vacancy with two part -time CSOs.
Financial Impact
The full-time position is currently budgeted. Hiring two part -time CSOs at 24 hours per week would
amount to the same budgeted amount when benefits are included.
Attachments
• December 10, 2012, Request for Action
• August 5, 2013, Request for Action
P a w E A E U s r
NaA f RE]
ilk _
River
REQUEST FOR ACTION
TO
ITEM NUMBER
Mayor and City Council
AGENDA SECTION
MEETING DATE
PREPARED BY
Consent
December 10, 2012
Bradley- R. Rolfe, Chief of Police
ITEM DESCRIPTION
REVIEWED By
Request to lure candidate for part -time Community Service
REVIEWED BY
Officer I position.
ACTION REQUESTED
Approve the hiring of Army Berglund as a part -time Community Service Officer I (CSO
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On June 22, 2012, Rebecca Thomas resigned her position as a CSO 1, taking a police officer position at a
nearby agency. In the June 15, 2012 Council Update, the City Administrator informed the Council that
the police department would be going to market to fill the position. At that time the Police Chief
discussed several replacement options with the City Administrator. It was decided that rather than
replacing the vacancy with a full-time CSO, it would benefit the police department to hire two, part -time
CSOS.
With two part -time positions, the City does not have to fund the benefit package that they would with a
full-time staff member. The savings realized from not paying out the full benefits package allows for an
additional eight hours of coverage per week. There is also a benefit to the police department, in that they
have two employees to mentor and evaluate for future potential police officer openings. This
information was communicated to the Council in the City Administrator's Weekly Update, dated July 27,
2012.
The police department has conducted a selection process. Two qualified candidates for the open
positions have been identified. One of the two finalists, Amy Berglund, is a current police reserve officer.
Berglund's background has been completed and the police department is asking permission to hire her as
soon as possible. Once the background has been completed for the second candidate, the department
will make a second request to the Council for approval to hire.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The full-tithe CSO I position was budgeted for 2012. With the hiring of two part -time employees there
should be no significant financial impact, because of the cost savings involved with the benefits package
as detailed above. These two part -time positions have been included in the 2013 budget.
This position starts at pay grade level 2, Step A.
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River
Request for Action
To
Item Number
Mayor and City Council
14.9
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Consent
I Au st 5, 2013
Bradley R. Rolfe, Chief of Police
Item Description
Reviewed by
Change Part -time Community Service Officer I
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
(CSO T Position Back to Full -time
Action Requested
Approve by motion the conversion of CSO I position, currently occupied by Amy Berglund, from part -
time back to full-time.
Background /Discussion
On June 22, 2012, full -tune CSO I Rebecca Thomas took a police officer position with another agency,
creating a full -time CSO I vacancy.
The police chief proposed converting the vacant full -time CSO position to two (2) part -tune positions,
hoping to slightly increase CSO coverage. The Council approved and a selection process was initiated to
fill the positions.
Amy Berglund, an internal candidate, was hired to fill one of the vacancies. The police department has
not had success finding a suitable candidate to fill the other vacancy.
The police chief does not believe that beginning another selection process will be productive. Amy
Berglund has successfully completed her probationary period and is meeting department expectations.
The police chief would like to convert Berglund's part -time CSO I positron to full -time; forgoing the
continued search for a second part -time CSO.
Financial Impact
Berglund will remain at her current pay grade, level 2. Funds for the position currently exist in the 2013
budget and proposed 2014 budget.
Attachments
■ None
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