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By a 3-2 vote, council approves creation of sergeant’s position
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
By a 3-2 vote the Caledonia City Council approved the creation of a sergeant’s position for the local police department and went along with Chief Kurt Zehnder’s recommendation to promote veteran Officer Jim Stemper to the sergeant’s position. The action took place during the Aug. 10 council meeting.
Creating a sergeant’s position for the Caledonia Police Department has been discussed by this council, as well as the previous one.
The first request was made in 2007 when former Police Chief Randy Shefelbine wanted to promote Stemper second in command. That council denied Shefelbine’s request.
Randi Vick is the only member of the 2007 council who is on the present city council.
This past spring when Shefelbine retired from the police force, the council named Stemper “interim officer in charge.”
Zehnder brought the issue to the current council during the July 27 meeting. Because there were only three councilmembers attending that meeting, and a question if the sergeant’s position would remain part of the present police union or if it would have to be part of a new association, Zehnder’s request was tabled until the Aug. 10 meeting.
Zehnder reported he had checked into the union issue with the state and was told Stemper would not have to leave the local police union if he was promoted. The new chief also stated he understood the current budgeting issues and said there would be no pay grade change for a year.
“You will find that I am not big on spending for things we don’t need. But it is very important that this department have a second in command,” Zehnder stated. “There are a number of situations, such as during a pursuit where an officer is required to receive authorization to continue. If an accident happened, and the officer hadn’t received instructions from the officer in charge, the city could be open to a law suit.”
Councilwoman Peggy Perry said she felt Zehnder’s request was premature. “You’ve only known your staff for three weeks. I don’t see how you can make a recommendation at this time,” Perry said.
Zehnder responded that he conducted a survey with his staff, asking them what the number one priority would be for the department. They all indicated to have a second in command in place. He then asked them all who that person should be. The overwhelming consensus was Officer Stemper.
Councilman Tom Murphy said he has received more calls on this issue than any since taking office in January. He agreed with Perry that it was premature for Zehnder to make the request. He encouraged the chief to come back to the council in six months, after he’s had a chance to get to know his staff and the community better.
“I’ve got nothing against Officer Stemper. I just don’t feel a four-person staff needs another level of bureaucracy,” Murphy said.
Councilman Bob Lemke and Vick, who make up the police committee, said they both discussed the issue with Zehnder and felt he was justified in his request. They recommended the council move forward with the request.
“This is nothing new to this council,” Mayor Bob Burns said. “The issue has been brought up in the past. I believe the need is there. Chief Zehnder has explained why. We can have a probationary period of one year. If at that time we feel it isn’t working out, we can do away with it. But I really don’t see us withdrawing the sergeant’s position.”
Lemke made a motion that was seconded by Vick to create a sergeant’s position, promote Stemper to that position and have a one-year probationary period. The motion was supported by Lemke, Vick and Burns, while Perry and Murphy voted against it.
Other police issues
Part-time officers
Zehnder asked the council to consider letting him hire more part-time officers. With a four-person staff and officers requesting vacations, he and the council agreed there is a definite need for more part-time officers.
Zehnder also reported that Tim Irvin, who has been working as a part-time officer in Caledonia for some time, has accepted a position with the La Crescent Police Department, which leaves the local PD with just one part-time officer…Gary Bubbers.
The city currently pays a non-union part-time officer approximately $14.50 an hour. If a part-time officer works more than 14 hours per week, he or she is eligible to join the police union. The first step in the union pays part-timers $17.95 an hour.
Zehnder felt the city should match the first step union wage for non-union part-timers, other wise they probably wouldn’t be able to retain them. The council agreed.
A motion made by Burns and seconded by Peggy to pay non-union part-time officers $17.95 an hour was unanimously approved. The council also gave its blessing on Zehnder recruiting part-time officers.
“It makes more sense getting some part-time officers at $18 an hour to help cover things instead of paying time and one-half (at $38 an hour) and burn our regular officers out,” Zehnder noted.
Officers at county fair
The council approved a request by Zehnder to schedule officers to work extra hours during the Houston County Fair. He noted the Houston County Sheriff’s Posse would be patrolling at the fair, and county deputies would be moving in and out of the fair as well. But he felt it would be good to have one uniformed officer there during busy times as well.
“We won’t be clocking this as overtime, but as straight time,” he noted.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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