A new resolution regarding procedures for appeal hearings for Riley County Police department employees was approved by Riley County Law Board members Monday. When an employee is suspended or terminated, the employee may appeal the Director’s discipline to the law board by requesting such a hearing. The resolution specifies certain procedures in the process.
There was some discussion regarding the hearing officer, who currently is board member Barry Wilkerson. Wilkerson was selected for the entire year of 2017. Law Board chair Craig Beardsley asked board member Mike Dodson his thoughts of continuing with that procedure. Dodson said he thought it seemed less biased to have one sitting for the year rather than a different hearing officer for each hearing…
Beardsley further specified that as part of the requirements, suggesting the first January board meeting as the time to appoint a hearing officer for the year…
Prior to Monday’s law board meeting, current hearing officer and board member Barry Wilkerson had looked at the way surrounding counties and other governmental units handled such appeals hearings, while he and others were working on the proposed resolution.
After some discussion and tweaking the group approved the resolution, with RCPD Director Schoen praising the group for formalizing the procedure. He told the group while the measure may evolve over time, it should give some ground rules to operate, with potential hearings coming up.
Another resolution approved by the board dealt with basic board meeting procedures such as setting of the agenda, rules of order, and process order. There was some discussion about citizen involved issues.
Board member Usha Reddi talked about the need for parameters on what constitutes a matter to be on the general agenda, even when coming from a public citizen. She stressed the board primarily deals with policy issues which is what she would like to see continue–rather than other matters such as grievance issues. Reddi added community members with different requests always have the option of going through a law board member for an item to be placed on the agenda.
Board member Usha Reddi talked about the need for parameters on what constitutes a matter to be on the general agenda, even when coming from a public citizen. She stressed the board primarily deals with policy issues which is what she would like to see continue–rather than other matters such as grievance issues. Reddi added community members with different requests always have the option of going through a law board member for an item to be placed on the agenda.
Also Monday more than a dozen emergency response unit crew members were recognized during Monday’s Riley County Law Board meeting for their efforts in December of 2015 and April of 2016 with armed barricade situations and shots being fired. Riley County Police Director presented each with commendations awards for their commitment, teamwork, restraint, and leadership–with both cases ending in a suspect taken into custody without the use of deadly force. The awards were part of the gold award from the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. And a Certificate of Promotion was presented to Sergeant Nathan Boeckman and outgoing Community Advisory Board member Edward McNamara was recognized.
