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May 28, 2024 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 4 <br />Utilize Third Party Recruiter – Currently all recruitment efforts for police officers and cadets are being <br />handled by police department employees. Other agencies have retained the service of a police recruiter <br />to assist in the coordination of finding qualified candidates and to advise staff on incentives that are <br />attractive to candidates. Staff is requesting the ability to explore the cost of hiring a qualified <br />recruitment employee. <br />Mr. Yunker reviewed Staff from both St. Anthony and Falcon Heights will continue to work through <br />refining all aspects, including the risk sharing/mitigation concern as part of a draft contract. St. Anthony <br />Staff will also continue refining the cost ad pricing aspects as the 2025 budget preparation process <br />brings future costs into better focus. <br />Visit our websites to learn more detailed information on the potential policing partnership and St. <br />Anthony Police Department’s Contract Services including Frequently Asked Questions, Who to Contact <br />with Concerns, About the SAPD, and Background on both cities. Savmn.com/sapd-contract-services <br />and/or falconheights.org. <br />Councilmember Stephens asked about the oversight committee and whether a third party would be <br />involved to balance things out. Police Chief Spiess stated it would be a committee to evaluate the <br />deliverables on the contract not oversight of the department. <br />Councilmember Jenson referred to the SWOT analysis and noted it was well stated. He asked if Chief <br />Spiess feels the benefits outweigh the weaknesses. Chief Spiess stated his emphasis on the SWOT <br />analysis was public safety. There was failed leadership in Falcon Heights from the past incident. The <br />officers are accountable to St. Anthony leadership and Council. They need to have insulation. If there is <br />a contract there is going to be pushback. Council will be needed to support good policing. The <br />relationships need to be solid between the policy-making bodies. <br />Councilmember Randle stated it is important to shield the officer’s from the negatives. If things break <br />bad again who is going to throw us to the wolves. Leaders need to take care of their people. <br />Mayor Webster stated Council’s role is on governance and formulation of best practices. The Joint <br />Advisory Committee members are appropriate and Council should not be part of that Committee. It is <br />important we have diverse officers to represent the diverse communities served. <br />Councilmember Doolan stated she has concerns about how to insulate police from the politics of what is <br />coming whether this year or in the future. Double checking what is being put in place is a good test. She <br />spoke with the Orono Police Chief about their contracts servicing other communities. The duration of <br />time for the contract would be important. <br />Councilmember Jenson stated the Joint Advisory Committee is good and the responsibilities are well <br />defined. <br />Mayor Webster stated the plan captures the elements brought forward by Councilmembers in April. <br />Some of the misconceptions heard since April are incorrect such as the need for a new police station. <br />The renovations are needed without the contract with Falcon Heights. We have aging facilities that <br />need to be updated.