Agenda Packets - 1987/07/27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1987 LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN Page Twelve g. Animal Control/Nuisance Abatement The Community Service Officer and Officers of the Department enforce the animal control and nuisance ordinances. The Department impounds dogs and other animals and interacts with residents to maintain the health and safety of the community. h. School Liason/Youth Counseling The Department's Investigators and other Officers of the Department work closely with school officials, Probation Officers, Human Services, and other agencies to aid in the health, safety, and welfare of the community's youth. i. Civil Defense The Department assists in coordinating and planning with other agencies procedures used in the event of a major disaster or hazardous materials incident. Rendering aid to the injured, providing security, and coordinating support groups is a responsibility and a duty that the Department is prepared for. The Police Department provides police services to the community year around, twenty-four hours per day. At the present time, the Department employs a Chief, Lieutenant, two Sergeants, two Investigators and seven Patrolmen. The Department also employs a Community Service Officer, one full-time Secretary and one part-time Secretary. Support sevices are provided by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and other agencies. In recent years, the Police Department has realized a significant increase in "calls for service." Officers are spending more time in responding to calls. Consequently, less time is b6ing spent in the enforcement and prevention area of police work. To help supplement the manpower shortage, the Department created a Reserve Unit in 1986. The Reserve Unit presently consists of seven members who regularly patrol with sworn officers. Reserve officers will also be available in the event of disasters or civic events. In 1987 the Department is planning on using part- time police officers. By law, Lhe Department is limited to two part-time police officers. The utilization of part-time police officers is considered an experiment and, at this time, should not be considered an on -going program. Reserve officers and/or part-time officers should not be considered as a replacement for a regular full time officer. Their authority, duties, and responsibilities are very limited. The current ratio of one officer per 1,000 inhabitants is significantly below the State average of 1.2 officers per 1,000 inhabitants for class V cities. Serious consideration should be given to increasing the Department's strength in the coming years.