HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCDATE=AUGUST 09, 1993 (2) Fire and Police Commission Meeting
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• ent, there is a high likelihood that the student will want to
continue in the secure offer of future employment.
Commissioner Camacho also expressed concern that cadets would
bump applicants on the eligibility list. Chief Gruber suggested
that the cadets can be planned for at the time that the eligibil-
ity list is established .
Commissioner Ericson wondered if, instead of spending money on
this program, it wouldn ' t be more
wise t0 hire two or three
additional officers . Mr. Rice said cadets would work in the
police department 1 ,000 minimum hours per year. As new CSOs are
needed, cadets will be placed in those positions .
Pally Nash-Wright, Dean Of Liberal Arts and Human Services at
Elgin Community College, explained the college ' s attempt to
diversify by obtaining a minority teacher as an Intern. She
stated that the Cadet Program will provide an opportunity to
assist in the diversification of the Criminal Justice Program
also.
Chief Gruber said the Cadet Program, although not a minority
recruitment program, can be used as a tool t0 target minorities
that cannot afford to go to college. This laudable program will
• create a larger vision which will not only encourage the communl-
Ity to work with the police department but also encourage young
people in the community to participate with the police officers
in the community.
Commissioner Tinge stated he believes the Commission is being
asked to approve the concept to educate and provide the most
talented persons possible for the police department .
Mr . Rice said he is concerned that we are possibly losing a lot
of talented people who could become police officers but can' t af-
ford to go to college; this would include bath needs and affirma-
tive action. In addition, he said he has discussed the possibll-
lty of a cadet program with the Fire Chief but as of yet has not
been able to come up with enough civilian ]obs to Implement it.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Gehrman explained that the pro-
posed ordinance addresses residency requirements . He also stat-
ed that the Commission will establish the rules and guidelines
for the program.
Commissioner TregO suggested that the City Council be informed
that the Commission is willing to accept this type of candidate
and acknowledges that the Cadet Program is a City program de-
signed to draw employees from the community.
�• Councilwoman Popple said she can see that the Council hes put
the Commission in an awkward position. She said she thinks all
the Council really wants is to find out if the Commission sees
value In the Cadet Program. She also suggested that possibly