Peoria Standard

The city of Peoria Fire and Police Commission met Jan. 13.

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners acts as a civil service authority in the recruitment, promotion and discipline for cause of all commissioned police and fire personnel.

Here are the minutes of the meeting as provided by the Peoria Fire and Police Commission:

ROLL CALL

The Board of Fire & Police Commission meeting was called to order by Chairman Lynn Pearson.

Commissioners present: Lynn Pearson, Tom Jackson, Leonard Unes, Junior Watkins, and Janda Carter

Commissioners absent: Tom Burke, Tom Higgins

Others present: Human Resources Coordinator Debra Bush, Police Chief Jerry Mitchell, Assistant Police Chief Lisa Snow, and Fire Chief Charles Lauss

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Tom Jackson moved to approve the minutes of November 4, 2015 and December 8, 2015 as presented, seconded by William Watkins; all approved 5-0.

COMMUNICATIONS

A. Tom Jackson moved to receive and file Letters of Commendation for Police Detectives Denise White, Roberto Vasquez, Eric Esser and Candice Fillpot, seconded by Janda Carter; All approved 5-0.

B. Tom Jackson moved to receive and file Completion of Probation for Police Officers Nicholas Cox and Ryan Isonhart completed on January 5, 2016, seconded by Janda Carter; All approved 5-0.

OLD BUSINESS

Timeline and Recruiting Efforts

Assistant Police Chief Lisa Snow stated that the Police Department interviewed 59 Police Recruit candidates and had approximately 30 candidates pass their interviews. They only sent over the top 18 candidates for the Commission to interview and the others will be sent over when the first list is exhausted.

Assistant Police Chief Snow stated that the next Police Recruit examination process will be in May or June. The Police Department has reserved seven (7) slots for the April Police Training Institute class. Currently they have 16 openings.

Police Chief Jerry Mitchell stated that Lisa Snow was selected as the Assistant Police Chief due to the retirement of Michael Eddlemon.

Chief Mitchell stated that they have changed their recruitment strategy. Instead of just going to job/career fairs and talking with potential candidates and taking their applications, they are now staying in touch with the interested applicants by following up with each of them after the job/career fairs. For example, one Police Recruit candidate that is currently in the process stated that she chose the Peoria Police Department due to them following up with her on her classes, tests, etc. This candidate also told the Fire and Police Commission the names of the Police Officers and how she was impressed with how they stayed in contact with her.

Chief Mitchell and Tom Jackson stated that the Police candidate interviews were so much better this time around. Chief Mitchell stated that Shalesse Pie, Superintendent, Human Resources Division of the Peoria Park District, conducted an interview session at the Police Recruit Orientations and did an excellent. Chief Mitchell suggested that we contact Ms. Pie and ask her to come to speak to the Commission regarding her interviewing session.

Assistant Chief Snow stated that they have started working on the Cadet Program. It is their goal to grow our own with the program.

Fire Chief Charles Lauss stated that the Fire Department had Interview Training on December 14, 2015. They plan to interview Firefighter candidates in January and they have 13 openings. The Fire Department is thinking about splitting a Recruit class so there would not be so many in one class.

Police Captain Lisa Snow stated that they have 14 openings and have set up Police Recruit candidate interviews and 25% of the candidates were minorities. They have had their Interview Training and have new questions. They plan to interview 59 candidates.

Captain Snow stated that they need recruits interviewed by the Fire and Police Commission the first or second week in January in order for them to make the February recruitment class in Champaign, Illinois.

ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Junior Watkins moved to adjourn to Executive Session under 2c(1) of the Open Meetings Acts, seconded by Tom Jackson; All approved 6-0.

RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION

Lynn Pearson stated that while in Executive Session, the Commission reviewed the 2015 Police Recruit Eligibility Pool. Tom Jackson moved to approve the Police Recruit Eligibility Pool, seconded by Tom Higgins; All approved 6-0.

ADJOURN MEETING

There being no further business, Tom Higgins moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Tom Jackson; All approved 6-0.