3.5. SR 03-06-2006
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Consent March 6, 2006
Item Description
Authorization to Make Conditional Job Offers for Three Police
Officer Positions
Item Number
3.5
Prepared by
Ca tain Brad Rolfe
Reviewed by
Lori Johnson, City Administrator
Introduction
The police department has one (1) immediate opening for the position of full-time police officer.
The police department anticipates two (2) additional full-time police officer vacancies in the first half of
2006 due to officer retirements. The police department has a current police officer candidate pool. Back
ground investigations have been completed on two (2) candidates with completion of a third background
investigation anticipated in the near future.
Discussion
The current police officer vacancy has caused one of the patrol shifts to operate understaffed. The
anticipated retirement of two other officers, both in the investigative unit, will deplete that unit by one
third. Those vacancies would be filled by current officers. Those appointments will create shortages of
staffmg in the patrol division. It is highly desirable to have new candidates ready for immediate
appointment to fill those vacancies. The police department desires to start candidate number one as soon
as they successfully complete their psychological and medical exams. The police department desires to
start candidates two and three as soon as retirement dates for the two current employees are formally
announced. Appointment of the police officer candidates will be contingent on successful completion of
both the psychological and physical exams.
Financial Impact
All three positions are already funded by the budget. The candidate(s) will be hired at the entry level full
time police officer rate as stipulated in the 2005-2006 collective bargaining contract ($18.80 per hour),
plus benefits. The cost of hiring candidates two and three, slightly before the retirement of the two
current employees, will be offset through out the year by the savings in the difference in wages between
the new employees, paid at a lower rate, and the retiring employees, who are paid at the top rate in their
job classification. The cost of the psychological and physical exams is covered in the current budget.
Attachments
None
Action Requested
The police department is seeking council approval to make conditional job offers to the top three (3)
police officer candidates for the purpose of facilitating physical and psychological exams. Upon
successfully passing the physical and psychological exams, the police department is seeking to hire one
candidate immediately. The police department is seeking authorization to hire the second and third
candidates as soon as retirement dates are formally announced by the current employees.
C: \Documents and Settings \tallard\Local Settings \ Temporary Internet Files \ OLKF\REQUEST COUNCIL ACTION JOB OFFER (2).doc
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by ~
Vote
Follow Up
C\Documents and Settings\tallard\Local Settings \ Temporary Internet Files\OLKF\REQUEST COUNCIL ACTION JOB OFFER (2).doc