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1 <br />1 <br />COUNCIL WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 3, 1993 <br />community service approach and to get the officers into the <br />community more. There will also be a change in the orientation <br />of the Community Service Officer. This person will be more <br />involved in neighborhood crime watch and other such programs. <br />Chief Pecchia noted that his community oriented program may be <br />different than the programs of the surrounding communities. He <br />plans to attend all neighborhood crime watch meetings and will <br />have specific issues to deal with. Most issues will be juvenile <br />specific and all officers will get more involved with kids. He <br />noted that the officers appear to be anxious to see what can be <br />done in this area. <br />Chief Pecchia told the City Council that to be more effective the <br />Police Department needs more officers. Currently there is one <br />officer per shift. This is not a good situation. If an officer <br />is called to a domestic, there is no backup. He cited a recent <br />case in which the officer arrested a domestic abuse suspect. <br />While the officer made arrangements for the mother/wife, the <br />suspect escaped. Chief Pecchia noted that there have been <br />shootings in Columbus Township as well as the shootings in Lino <br />Lakes. He noted that the criminal element has found Lino Lakes <br />and the City must provide better trained officers to handle these <br />situations. <br />Currently, Chief Pecchia is requesting that the City Council hire <br />two additional officers. He outlined his plan to promote another <br />officer to a sergeant. This change will provide better <br />supervision and consistency throughout each shift. The second <br />sergeant will also help with the training and each officer must <br />show proficiency quarterly and annually. Chief Pecchia noted <br />that there had not been any supervision in the Department for <br />some time and now he must deal with this situation. <br />Chief Pecchia explained that the CSO's roll will continue to <br />evolve into crime prevention. He is also looking at a second <br />part time CSO to cover hours that the full time CSO does not <br />cover and assist officers with non critical duties. <br />Chief Pecchia told the City Council that he is planning to add <br />five additional reserve officers in 1994. The only expense for <br />this addition is uniforms. The training will be handled <br />internally or at Anoka County at little or no cost. Chief <br />Pecchia said that he would like to have a total of about 20 <br />reserve officers. <br />Internally, Chief Pecchia plans to assign one officer to special <br />duty. The duties include following up on particular cases. This <br />officer will also serve as a liaison to Anoka County and the <br />PAGE 4 <br />28 <br />