HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCDATE=AUGUST 09, 1993 (6) 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 o
this program, it wouldn't be more wise to hire two or three
additional officers . Mr. Rice said cadets would work in the
police department 1 ,000 minimum hours per year. As new CS05 are
needed, cadets will be placed in those positions .
Polly Nash-Wright, Dean of Liberal Arts and Human Services at
Elgin community College, explained thes lege ' s attempt to
diversify by obtaining a minority teacheras
n 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 to target minorities
that cannot afford to go to college . This laudable program will
create a larger vision which will not only encourage the c uni-
• ty to work with the police department but also encourage young
people in the community to participate with the police officers
in the community.
Commissioner Trego 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 both needs and affirma-
tive action. In addition, he said he has discussed the possibil-
ity of a cadet program with the Fire Chief but as of vet has not
been able to come up with enough civilian jobs 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 TLego 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 has 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