Number
060334
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
050956
Sponsor
ALD. WITKOWSKI
Title
Substitute resolution relating to endorsement and implementation of the recommendations of the Community Service Staffing Task Force.
Analysis
This resolution endorses the findings of the task force investigating the creation of the position of Community Service Officer for the City of Milwaukee. This resolution further implements the findings of the task force and provides directions to various city entities to establish the position of Community Service Officer within the Milwaukee Police Department.
Body
Whereas, Common Council File 050956 created a process, through the establishment of a task force, to investigate means and methods that would lead to community service staffing for public safety needs for responding to Milwaukee residents’ calls for service directed to the police department; and
Whereas, In January 2006, a task force entitled “Community Service Staffing Task Force” was established in accord with the provisions of Common Council File 050956, and this task force conducted a series of meetings in order to consider and develop recommendations regarding the applicability of Community Service Officers for the City of Milwaukee to present to the Common Council for consideration and action; and
Whereas, In its report submitted to the Common Council, the task force concluded that the creation of a position of Community Service Officer would provide certain benefits to the citizens of the City of Milwaukee as well as to the police department including improved response time to calls for service, freeing police officers for higher priority calls, providing increased visibility for the police department, enhancing citizen satisfaction based upon shortened response times and improving community relations; and
Whereas, The task force considered the costs associated with the creation of the position of Community Service Officer and the task force concluded that this position would, over time, provide a cost savings to the City as these Community Service Officers would be paid at a rate that is lower than the current position of police officer; and
Whereas, In its report, Final Report of the Community Services Staffing Task Force, the task force concluded that the City should initiate a position of Community Service Officer within the police department; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the recommendations of the Community Service Staffing Task Force report be endorsed by the Common Council; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the findings of the Community Service Staffing Task Force, as they relate to the creation of a position of Community Service Officer, be implemented, and that the following City departments are directed to conduct operations to ensure the creation and the implementation of the Community Service Officer for the City of Milwaukee within the auspices of the Milwaukee Police Department as follows:
The City Attorney’s Office is requested to assure that the Community Service Officer position duties as proposed are in compliance with city ordinances and state law; and review, identify and propose changes relative to any legal issues concerning the establishment of a Community Service Officer program for the City of Milwaukee.
The Fire and Police Commission is requested to begin the process of recruitment and testing of candidates for the position of Community Service Officer and will determine the parameters by which candidates for this position will pass examinations, background checks and psychological screening. The Fire and Police Commission will further develop and implement a public education plan as to the role of the Community Service Officer in Milwaukee and the relationship of this role to the duties of a sworn police officer.
The Fire and Police Commission will classify and approve a pay range for the Community Service Officer. The Department of Employee Relations will assure the process by which the position of Community Service Officer may be represented by an appropriate bargaining unit as determined by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission.
The Milwaukee Police Department will develop a position description for full-time and part-time Community Service Officer positions and will develop a required training program to be commensurate with the duties and job description agreed upon. The Police Department will provide that the Community Service Officers wear a badge and have distinctive uniforms, vehicles and equipment as prescribed by the Chief of Police.
The Department of Administration will seek start-up grant funding for equipment and training for the Community Service Officer program.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the various duties of City departments as listed in this resolution, implementing the position of Community Service Officer, are not exclusive of other tasks or operations necessary to the creation of this position that may arise in the process of the establishment and implementation of the position of Community Service Officer.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 06326-4
mar
07/12/2006