HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolice Committee Minutes 03.05.1998
MINUTES
POLICE COMMITTEE
March 5, 1998 5:30 p.m.
City Hall
PRESENT: Alan Hovious
Norman Orr
Dirk Kroll
Alan reported to the committee
replace Matt Hoppel as the new
recommended approval contingent
City.
Rick Musson
Gay Easton
that Jason Wells was selected to
police officer. The committee
on the background check by the
Alan reported on the condition of the city jail. He stated that
there are liability issues for the city if the jail is kept open.
The committee asked the Chief to bring back cost estimates on what
needs to be done for both the committee and the council to review.
The Department of Justice awarded the City of Laurel a $ 74,011.50
grant to hire a new police officer under the three year COPS grant.
Alan informed the committee that this is in his budget request for
1998/99. A waiver could be applied for to extend the acceptance of
the grant to July 1st. He would like the Budget/Finance Committee
to give this issue serious thought so the city can apply for the
waiver as soon as possible.
Status of the drug dog was discussed. Captain Musson reported that
the dog participated in four events along with the Ridge Motel raid
and going to the High School for a search. Financially $500 has
been spent on training for Travis.
The construction of an animal shelter/holding area was discussed.
This also has been included in the budget requests for the
department. Alan suggested that we start with a small pole
building and make a 2-4 year project to expand the facility.
Also discussed was police presence at First Avenue and Main Street
for fire calls and around the High School for speeders when
students are released in the afternoon.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
/Fre,?spectfully submitted,
Dirk Kroll, Chairma
LAUREL POLICE DEPARTMENT
215 W. First Street
Laurel, Montana 59044
406 628-8737 Fax 406 628-4641
March 3, 1998
To: Police Committee
Dirk Kroll, Chairman
From: Alan Hovious,
Chief of Police
Laurel Police Department
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL REPORT for FEBRUARY 1998
Reserve Officer Hours 580 Calls for Service 389
CRIMES ARRESTS
Burglaries 5 2
Theft 41 3
Assaults 1 2
Domestic Violence 5 2
Criminal Mischief 16
Disorderly Conduct 6 6
Traffic Citations 21
Other than speeding
No Drivers License 7
Speeding Violations 22
DUI 6
Dog/Animal Citations 17
Animal Related Calls 45
Ambulance Calls 27
Suicides (hanging) 1
Page Two.
City Council Report
3-3-98
Relief Communications Officer
Mr. Larry Prokop of Laurel was selected from 12 applicants/7 interviewed for the Relief
(part-time) Dispatcher position . He will start OJT training 3-4-98. This provides for an
additional dispatcher that will address some overtime expenditures that have occurred with
only one part-time dispatcher available to cover sick and vacations.
Police Officer Candidates
17 candidates applied for a Police Officer position vacated by Officer Matt Hoppel in
January , 1998 _ 7 candidates were eliminated through physical agility and written testing.
10 candidates were interviewed by the Police Commission and the 4 top candidates have been
placed in a hiring pool. None of the 10 candidates were Montana POST certified.
Jason Wells, current Laurel Police reserve, was selected as the police officer to replace Matt
Hoppel . Pre-employment background check., drug screening and psychological testing will start
this week, We hope to have the selected officer ready for appointment/employment by next City
Council Meeting, March 17, 1998.
Laurel City Jail
LPD Command is concerned with the electronic monitoring system used in the City Jail and
are seriously considering not using jail due to liability issues. This has been discussed with
the Police Committee in the past. The video cameras in the jail are inadequate. Dispatchers
can not provide proper monitoring of the prisoners due to the number of cameras and their
location. The cost to replace or repair cameras is cost prohibitive when compared to the use
of the Yellowstone County Facility.
Currently, LPD only uses the jail to board prisoners who have been sentenced to weekend
incarcerations of 1-2 days as a convenience to the prisoners. We feel the liability risk far
exceeds the benefit to the Community and we have asked the City Court Judge to reconsider
her assignments to our City Jail.
COPS GRANT Police Officer
The Department of Justice has awarded the City of Laurel with a $74,000 grant for an
additional full-time police officer for Laurel Police Department.
There is some concern that City revenues may be effected by future legislation that may cut
property taxes considerably. As the Department Head, I will not count on having this position
approved by the City.
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
Office of the Director
Washington, D.C. 20530
February 12, 1998
Chief Alan Hovious
Laurel Police Department
215 West First St.
Laurel, MT 59044
RE: Grant for: Laurel Police Department
Dear Chief Hovious:
It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that your Department will
receive a COPS Universal Hiring Program grant award for 1 new, additional full-time
officer(s) and 0 part-time off cer(s) at an estimated cost of $74,011.50. This is an
estimated amount of federal funds to be awarded to your jurisdiction for a three year
period. The grant award start date is February 1, 1998, which means that you can be
reimbursed for salaries and expenses of additional. officer(s) hired after this date.
If you have not previously received a COPS Universal Hiring award, your
Universal Hiring Program budget information currently is being reviewed. Upon budget
approval, we will forward to you your Universal Hiring Program Award, budget
clearance memorandum, Grant Owner's Manual and Request for Payment form. The
memorandum will provide the actual award amount and will identify any disallowed
costs such as uniforms or overtime. Some departments also will receive COPS assistance
in developing community policing strategies. If this condition applies, a special notice
pertaining to technical assistance will be enclosed. You must sign and return it to the
COPS Office along with your grant award. To accept your grant, please sign the award
document and special condition, if applicable, and return it to the COPS Office within 45
days.
If you have previously received a COPS FAST, AHEAD, or Universal Hiring
Program, this grant award will supplement your previous award. Upon budget approval
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for the additional officers, you will receive a supplemental grant award which will
provide your actual award amount for this announcement.
If you requested a waiver of the 25% local match, such requests are currently
under review. You will be notified whether a waiver has been granted at the time your
Universal Hiring Program Award and budget clearance memorandum are sent to you.
We are pleased that your Department has elected to participate in the Universal
Hiring Program and look forward to working with you in a productive partnership to
further your community policing efforts. Should you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact the COPS Office at 1-800-421-6770. Your grant advisor will be happy
to provide you with assistance.
Si erely,
J seph E. Brann
hector