The Police Committee met in session on Tuesday evening, July 18, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. with Chairman Wiewel presiding and the following members present: Mayor Ludwig, Councilman Martin and Lowe. Also present this meeting was Chief Baker.

    Wiewel called the meeting to order. Chief Baker stated the radios in the white and blue police cars are having problems. The radio in the blue car, does not allow the officer to hear when someone is trying to reach them, because it sits low in the console. The radio in the white car lets you hear OK, but it does not allow the officer to transmit. Chief Baker stated they tried transmitting on the City frequency and the Sheriffs frequency but you could not be heard. They even radioed the City's dispatcher and she could barely hear them.

   Chief Baker stated he would like to take the radio out of Sergeant Balmer's car and replace it with a radio like the one he has in his car. Chief Baker stated he has a Kenwood with additional speakers. To purchase the radio, have it install and buy the additional speakers, it would cost rom GEM Electronic $650. Chief Baker stated he would then take the radio from Sergeant Balmer's car and install it into Officer Hydron's car. Martin asked if adding additional speakers

and drilling holes in the console of Sergeant Balmer's car would help. Chief Baker stated the radio was not equipped to add additional speakers, and he would have Bill look into seeing if drilling holes would help. Martin asked if this was an on going problem or had it just started.

   Chief Baker stated it has been going on for sometime, and finding the money in the budget has been a problem. Martin stated since this isn't a new problem then, could his dept., wait until the City start's receiving tax money. Chief Baker stated yes.

   Chief Baker stated his main concern was when his officers or himself were working without a dispatcher and they have to rely on the County because his radio is the only one working properly. Chief Baker stated he would like to see the sheriff’s repeater on each of the radios.

   Wiewel asked what this would involve. Chief Baker stated adding a crystal. Chief Baker stated his radio and Officer Hydron's radio already has this installed, but since Officer Hydron's radio is not transmitting he is not sure it is working. Martin asked when Chief Baker has Bill from GEM Electronic come over to look at Sergeant Balmer's radio, could he bring a new mike for the other radio. The final discussion of the committee was to have Chief Baker contact GEM Electronics to have them come over and look at both radio's and see what repairs they would need to help correct both problems.

   *Chief Baker stated the next item was he had been approached by Matt McKey with the Highway Patrol. McKey will be resigning from the force effected 08/12/00, to go back into pharmacy school, and he is asking about working part-time for the LaGrange Police dept., or be placed as a reserve to help keep his hours as an officer. Chief Baker stated he had told McKey, money had not been budgeted for any additional officers but he could approach the committee.

  All three members thought it would be great to add McKey to the reserve list and possible later hire as a part-time officer. The discussion of the committee is to have Chief Baker approach this subject with the full Council at the 08/14/00 meeting.  ""Chief Baker stated the next item was to let the committee know he had installed the inter-com to his office. Chief Baker stated he now has a policy that once the officers leave the office the office door is to be locked. Anyone needing to speak to an officer or dispatcher will have to use the inter-com located right out side the door mounted on the wall. Chief Baker stated a couple of his employees are not satisfied with having to use the inter-com. Martin stated wasn't the inter-com installed for safety reasons and concern. Chief Baker stated yes. Discussion was held regarding a health concern for the dispatcher with the door being shut and locked. Further discussion was held. Martin asked if the inter-com could be placed by the outside door. Chief Baker stated that could be done, but his concern was if someone came to the outer door trying to get away from someone, it would take the dispatcher time to get to the outer door and see what the problem was. Chief Baker also stated with having the door shut and locked has help keep out persons just wanting to come in and visit. Wiewel stated he would suggest placing the inter-com on the outside door. Whenever an officer is in the building the outside door can be left unlocked. But once the officers leaves the building the door should be locked and the inter-com should be used. Chief Baker stated another concern he had with placing the inter-com on the outside door, it would take the dispatcher out of the office and away from the radio. Chief Baker stated he would do what ever the committee suggested. The committee decided to try moving the inter-com to the outside door. Chief Baker stated he would try this and if it did not work he would try something else.

 Lowe motioned to go into closed session. Martin motioned to go back into open.

The committee decided to leave the matter to Chief Baker to following and comply with the Police Dept., policies and procedures. Chief Baker is to also to get a copy of policies and procedure to the Police Chairman and City Hall.