(Spirit Lake)– The Police Department was back in the forefront at Tuesday’s Spirit Lake City Council meeting.
The council was presented with a newly revised policy and procedure manual for the Police Department. It’s being proposed by the city’s Public Safety Committee and Chief Jon Martyr. Council member Barb Ricke expressed her opposition to a provision in the proposal that would establish a seargeant’s position in the department. She says it doesn’t make sense, because the previous position of Captain was deleted by Martyr last year. Martyr defended his proposal to add the position, saying there’s now a need for a night time supervisor, which the seargeant’s position would fulfill.
Ricke also blasted a provision in the proposed policy and procedure manual that would put new officers under a 12 month probationary period. She says it isn’t nearly that long for new employees in other departments. Martyr says the longer period is needed for officers if they attend academy, which lasts 12-16 weeks.
The council tabled any action on the proposed policy and procedure manual to its next meeting.
Later in the meeting, there was discussion of a proposal to establish a special trust fund to funnel donations made to the Police Department’s Canine Unit. The council voted four-to-one to establish the special fund. Ricke cast the lone no vote. She says the Canine Unit should be done away with, saying it isn’t feasible. Martyr strongly differs. He says the dog is an invaluable tool and says it gets used a lot. Martyr sited an incident last week in which the dog sniffed out some drugs at Spirit Lake High School.
