02-27-1989 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 27, 1989 • POSITION APPOINTMENT- LIEUTENANT CONTINUED lieutenants that would report to the Chief. It would alleviate one person supervising 12 or 13 people. Councilmember Peterson recollected that this selection process had been done a few years back and asked why those test results were not used in this case. Bernhardson explained that there were additional people eligible this time, that were not the previous time. He did not feel that it would have been accurate to use the test results from two years ago at this time. Bernhardson and the Chief did not feel that the process used two years ago produced the kind of results they were seeking. Chief Kilbo concurred. Councilmember Peterson asked why a person that tested to be number 5 two years ago, finished number one this time around. Chief Kilbo responded that due to the fact that the Police Department was not a civil service organization, there was no need to list officers by merit. Councilmember Peterson opined that the testing appeared to be more of a "popularity contest ". Chief Kilbo disagreed and stated that he had worked with the officers and that it was his job to pick the person that he believes will do the best job. He said that he has to pick someone that will reflect his ideals and standards for the entire • police department. Councilmember Peterson expressed her belief that the police department was suffering from low morale and that perhaps an outside source should be sought to evaluate the situation. Chief Kilbo did not agree that there was low morale and sighted the various achievements of the police department over the last year. Councilmember Peterson encouraged Chief Kilbo to increase his communication with his officers. Kilbo stated that his door has always been open. Ms. Heidi Morowczynski, questioned why the shift commander positions were never established as it was suggested they would be? Mayor Grabek questioned whether Ms. Morowczynski's husband was on duty? She replied that he was not and added that many of the officers were intimidated to speak up and felt they were not heard. Councilmember Goetten assured the Council that she had the highest respect for the person be recommended to fill the vacant lieutenant position. She questioned the term "in basket exercise ". Chief Kilbo responded that it involved a group of 20 written questions that relate to everyday occurences within the police department. The questions are designed to determine management and leadership qualities. • Councilmember Peterson informed Chief Kilbo that she had no problem with his prospective appointment. Her concerns involve the manner in which the determination was made. Ms. Becky Anderson questioned why the prerequisite for 14