Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg Board of Fire and Police Commissioners met April 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was called to order by Chairman Robert Fulton at 10:00 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room, City Hall, 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois.

Those present were: Chairman Robert Fulton, Commissioner Naomi Law, Commissioner Tom Peters, Police Chief David Christensen, City Attorney Brad Nolden, Secretaries Jenni Moser and Amanda Jennings

Public Citizen Comment

None

Approve

Commissioner Law motioned to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2018 regular meeting and the special meeting on December 21, 2018. Commissioner Fulton seconded. Minutes approved.

Correspondence

A certified police application was received in February 2019. After further review the candidate does not meet the education requirement. Amanda will email the candidate.

Old Business

None

New Business

The 2018 Commission Report was presented and reviewed. Chairman Fulton and Commissioner Law motioned to approve the report. It will be forwarded to City Administration and Council members.

Chairman Fulton and Commissioner Peters will be attending the upcoming Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners Association Spring Seminar held in Springfield in May. Commissioner Peters will start with modules 1 and 3 and Chairman Fulton plans to attend the general session. Fulton advised it is always good to attend the seminars but the Fall Seminar is the best. Commissioner Law strongly suggests the next new Commissioner attend as well if appointed before it takes place.

The Swear-in Ceremony of Police candidate Andrew Hardine was scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in Council Chambers.

Police promotional testing was discussed. Assessment center bids were presented and reviewed. Chief Christensen provided background information on the assessment services. The previous vendor in 2016, Resource Management Associates, submitted the lowest bid for the upcoming testing. Chief advised there is no reason not to go with them again. They provided customization and tailored testing to our area and Department. RMA received very good reviews from the candidates after the last testing cycle. Chief suggests the top ten sergeants and all lieutenant and captain candidates go through the assessment portion. Commissioner Law added Chief’s recommendation is fair and fiscally responsible. Chairman Fulton requested a motion to accept RMA’s bid. Commissioner Peters gave a motion with Commissioner Law seconding. All were in favor. The bid will be on the agenda for Council approval at tonight’s meeting. Further discussion was held on testing dates. All agreed oral interviews should take place prior to the assessment. Chief requested flexibility in the number of candidates interviewed. Chairman Fulton suggests mirroring the same process as done in the past. Tentative dates were set for the written exam to take place the week of August 26, 2019. Oral interviews will be held the week of September 3rd with one day for sergeant candidates and the second day for lieutenant and captain candidates. The assessment phase will occur the week of September 16th. AllagreedtoattempttoscheduletheassessmentsattheGalesburgTransitfacilityagain. Amanda presented a request from a potential testing candidate inquiring if all his years of service with the Galesburg Police Department would be valid toward seniority points since there was a brief separation. The Rules and Regulations were reviewed and all were in agreement that all years of service with GPD would be allowed.

Commissioner Law commended Chief Christensen during the recent World Café public event. There were many different representatives in attendance including the Illinois Chiefs of Police, YMCA Solutions Program, Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg NAACP and numerous community members. There was open communication with Police with the younger generation asking questions about careers in Law Enforcement. It was a positive and effective interaction with the Police and the community. She believes some misconceptions were changed during this meeting. She also stated the Chief met with Carl Sandburg College’s Men of Distinction Group for a follow up meeting at the Police Station. Several students advised they have a much better view of Law Enforcement after meeting. Commissioner Law commended both Departments for their continued community interaction. Commissioner Law added that she learned a great deal as a Commissioner and there is a need for new voices with diverse representation in all groups. She would like to see the younger generation involved so there is a true representation of Galesburg. She is very positive about the applicants that have been hired in both the Fire and Police Departments. She went on to state Amanda and Jenni do a marvelous job as individuals and as a team. The Commission would not be successful without their assistance. She concluded that it was a pleasure serving.

Chief Christensen added the Galesburg World Café event was the largest attendance in the State. He also gave a quick update on the Police entry level eligibility list. Four candidates remain that have expressed interest in employment.

Adjournment

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Commissioner Peters and seconded by Commissioner Law. Meeting adjourned at 10:47 a.m.

https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/assets/1/20/F___P_Meeting_Minutes_04152019.pdf