Mentone to Take Applications for Third Reserve Officer
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Earlier this year, Eads had asked for a fourth reserve officer, but the council denied the request citing the potential cost.
Two months ago, Eads told the board that Reserve Officer Steve Sanders had planned to resign after the Mentone Egg Festival and he wanted to start taking applications for Sanders’ replacement. Since councilwoman Shelley Krueger was not present, the board did not take any action. In June, Eads was not able to make the council’s monthly meeting.
Last night, Eads again asked for permission to begin the process to replace Sanders even though he hadn’t received an official resignation letter. However, Eads said Sanders was no longer serving as a reserve officer.
Krueger asked how many hours Sanders worked, and Eads said it varied. He did require him to work 16 hours a month minimum. Reserve officers also are only allowed to work a certain amount of hours, he informed Krueger. Reserve Officer Randy Bays does a large portion of the reserve officer hours, Eads said.
The other reserve officer is Sam Bohnke.
After Krueger asked Eads if he had anyone in mind, he said he did not, but just wanted to take applications.
Krueger said the town had three reserve officers before, so she didn’t see any problem with replacing Sanders.
“Whoever you pick, we’d want to have all the information before we choose,” Krueger said.
Croy did not want to take any action without a resignation letter from Sanders. Eads said Sanders wasn’t a reserve officer anymore and asked Croy if his word wasn’t good enough.
Resident Rodney Bays asked what the problem was with the board. The police department had four reserve officers before. Eads is in charge of the police department and he should be able to pick and choose his own officers, he said.
Croy stated that the town’s officers who get paid – Eads and Deputy Terry Engstrand – aren’t patrolling and spend too much at the office. Eads contended that wasn’t true.
“So the issue is not the reserve officer, it’s how you feel our activity is,” Eads shot back
“Correct,” Croy responded.
Krueger asked if anything was documented regarding Croy’s assertions.
“It’s just hearsay and beliefs,” Engstrand said.
Croy said he always sees Eads’ truck sitting at the town hall, idling.
“That’s a bald-faced lie,” Eads said, assuring the council that he doesn’t leave his truck idling.
Krueger told Randy Bays she valued his opinion and asked him what he thought about having another reserve officer out there.
“Another reserve officer would be nice,” he answered.
Krueger said it bothers her that there’s a negative feeling about the police department. She said they need to get past that, and her husband believes the police department is doing a good job.
While she understands the town not having a fourth reserve officer, Krueger said she’s OK with a third.
After a brief discussion about the cost of continuing with three reserve officers, Krueger made the recommendation to allow Eads to take applications for a third reserve officer to replace Sanders. Croy provided the second, and the motion passed.
Eads concluded by stating, “I will have a letter (of resignation from Sanders) for you next month.”[[In-content Ad]]
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Earlier this year, Eads had asked for a fourth reserve officer, but the council denied the request citing the potential cost.
Two months ago, Eads told the board that Reserve Officer Steve Sanders had planned to resign after the Mentone Egg Festival and he wanted to start taking applications for Sanders’ replacement. Since councilwoman Shelley Krueger was not present, the board did not take any action. In June, Eads was not able to make the council’s monthly meeting.
Last night, Eads again asked for permission to begin the process to replace Sanders even though he hadn’t received an official resignation letter. However, Eads said Sanders was no longer serving as a reserve officer.
Krueger asked how many hours Sanders worked, and Eads said it varied. He did require him to work 16 hours a month minimum. Reserve officers also are only allowed to work a certain amount of hours, he informed Krueger. Reserve Officer Randy Bays does a large portion of the reserve officer hours, Eads said.
The other reserve officer is Sam Bohnke.
After Krueger asked Eads if he had anyone in mind, he said he did not, but just wanted to take applications.
Krueger said the town had three reserve officers before, so she didn’t see any problem with replacing Sanders.
“Whoever you pick, we’d want to have all the information before we choose,” Krueger said.
Croy did not want to take any action without a resignation letter from Sanders. Eads said Sanders wasn’t a reserve officer anymore and asked Croy if his word wasn’t good enough.
Resident Rodney Bays asked what the problem was with the board. The police department had four reserve officers before. Eads is in charge of the police department and he should be able to pick and choose his own officers, he said.
Croy stated that the town’s officers who get paid – Eads and Deputy Terry Engstrand – aren’t patrolling and spend too much at the office. Eads contended that wasn’t true.
“So the issue is not the reserve officer, it’s how you feel our activity is,” Eads shot back
“Correct,” Croy responded.
Krueger asked if anything was documented regarding Croy’s assertions.
“It’s just hearsay and beliefs,” Engstrand said.
Croy said he always sees Eads’ truck sitting at the town hall, idling.
“That’s a bald-faced lie,” Eads said, assuring the council that he doesn’t leave his truck idling.
Krueger told Randy Bays she valued his opinion and asked him what he thought about having another reserve officer out there.
“Another reserve officer would be nice,” he answered.
Krueger said it bothers her that there’s a negative feeling about the police department. She said they need to get past that, and her husband believes the police department is doing a good job.
While she understands the town not having a fourth reserve officer, Krueger said she’s OK with a third.
After a brief discussion about the cost of continuing with three reserve officers, Krueger made the recommendation to allow Eads to take applications for a third reserve officer to replace Sanders. Croy provided the second, and the motion passed.
Eads concluded by stating, “I will have a letter (of resignation from Sanders) for you next month.”[[In-content Ad]]
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