HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.E.1. Authorization to Hire Police Records Technician
CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Police Department
Memorandum
S. E. J.
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TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM:
Craig Robson, Captain (!f1I-.
SUBJECT:
Authorization to Hire Police Records Technician
DATE:
April 22, 2008
INTRODUCTION:
The Police Department currently has a number of vacant positions. One of these
positions is within the records division. The police department is requesting Council
approval to staff a vacant clerical position within the police department.
BACKGROUND:
A recent retirement has created a vacant records specialist position within the police
department. The police department is seeking Council's approval to staff the vacant
records specialist position with a records technician position. Permitting this substitution
will allow the records division of the police department to function at full staff while
producing a cost savings. The difference in wages between the vacated position and the
entry level records technician position is approximately $13,441. Currently, the police
department maintains a records technician eligible register
Choosing not to staff this vacant position will have consequences within the police
department. The police department experienced a 6.6% increase in calls for service from
2006 to 2007 and subsequently there is a growing need for records staff to process the
associated paperwork. We anticipate the trend of increased workload to continue.
Extra duties have also been placed upon records staff. The Shakopee Police Department
is part of a county wide pilot program being developed by the Minnesota Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension to resolve criminal histories that are in suspense - invalid
criminal histories due to record keeping errors, most commonly a criminal history with
no, or incorrect fingerprints. As Council has been made aware, the Shakopee Police
Department leads the county in cases referred to the courts for prosecution. Subsequently
Shakopee is over represented in cases in suspense. Although declining, the effort to
reduce suspense rates will be negatively impacted by a reduction of the records work
force. Inaccurate criminal history reporting represents a public safety concern and these
efforts must continue to be a high priority.
Additionally, the police department anticipates future records staffing level concerns.
Currently staff is working on a request from an employee within the records unit to
reduce her hours. This request will be brought to Council for consideration at a later
date.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Funds exist in the Police Department budget for this position.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize the request to staff a records technician position.
2. Do not authorize the request.
3. Table and provide direction to staff.
RECOMMENDATION:
Alternative #1. Staff recommends authorize the request to staffa records technician
position.
ACTION REQUESTED:
If the Council concurs, they should, by motion, authorize the request to staff a records
technician position.
Cc: Kris Wilson, Assistant City Administrator
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