CC Min 1997-12-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

. . " - In response to Council comments on the frequency of reporting, City Manager Everett - said it was important to be consistent so the data would accurately reflect the results measured during comparable tirne frames, but certainly monitoring would be done on an annual basis. After a general discussion, Couneil asked for status reports monitoring staffing and service levels based on Police activities, on a quarterly basis. MEMO 12/9/97 In response to Council questions regarding hiring plans and how quickly full staffing could be reached, Poliee Chief Bolanos described the very aggressive tactics the Department is employing and will employ to reach full staffing, including having a team of recruitment officers going to Police Academies throughout the State and conducting in-depth interviews on site. The Department had also produced a multi-media computer presentation that showcases the City and the Department that is shown to prospective Officers. Police Chief Bolanos said they are doing every thing possible to recruit Officers, but were not sacrificing quality for quantity. He said the City of Mountain View had embarked upon a similar program 2-3 years ago, and just today swore in eight Officers that will bring that Department to full staffing. He said the proposed Hiring Plan for Redwood City is very, very aggressive, but the City is committed to achieving it. City Manager Everett stated that the City had chosen a fast track in the proposed Hiring - Plan, and said, "I hope we don't get burned by people because we are pushing ourselves. We believe it is important to push. If we fail to make it, then we fail to make it. But I'd rather do that than string it out for three and a half years... We have given ourselves a significant hurdle, but we are going to try and make it." Council Member Hartnett suggested a monthly report on staffing and impacts would be helpful. He said Council needed to monitor the progress of recruiting and staffing, and also how "we are doing as a City." Council Member Hartnett said crime statistics go up and down, but the Council needed "to get a sense of how we are doing overall, no matter how we are doing on the recruiting side." Couneil Member Buehan reminded everyone that years ago, most City Departments submitted monthly reports to Council, and suggested that perhaps that might be something the Council would like to reinstitute. Couneilman Leipzig said he supported the reporting process, but Police, as a basic municipal service, is "kind of like the Defense Department a few years ago when a certain President came in and built it up. It wasn't that we wanted to go out and use it. We wanted to make sure it was there and available to stop any problems throughout the world. And that's the way I view it. I don't know how well we can monitor that. We've talked about the gang problem, we have junior gangs. We don't want them to become seniors - and graduate. I think by implementing this Plan, we can get a hold of that and make sure REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 DECEMBER 8,1997 MINUTES Page No. 093 PAGE 8