Employment Advisory Committee Meetings
EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
December 7, 2006
1. Call to Order/ Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 1:30p.m. A quorum was present.
Members Present
Rich Bondoc, Jerry Jones, John Crowley, Patrick Regan, Norma Tecson, John Weber, Ronnie Rhoe, Ken Stram
Members Absent
Commissioner Faye Woo Lee, Commissioner Carlota del Portillo, Molly Baier, and Adrian Trujillo
Staff Present
Linda Chin, Kabir Hypolite
Guests
San Francisco Police Department Sgt. Trenia L. Wearing, Sgt. Larry Gray, Officer Matt Balzarini Police Activities League (PAL) Marquez Gray, Senior. Outreach Coordinator (CHALK)
2. Adoption of Agenda
Rich Bondoc moved to adopt the December 7 2006 agenda. Patrick Regan seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
3. Adoption of November 2, 2006 Minutes
Rich Bondoc moved to adopt the November 2, 2006 minutes. Patrick Regan seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Public Comment for items not on the Agenda
None
5. Commissioner’s Report
None. Jerry Jones chaired the meeting in the absence of Commissioners Lee and del Portillo.
6. Staff Report
None
7. Old Business:
a) Consideration of 2 motions presented at the September 7, 2006 meeting –
Mr. Weber noted that the working group members (Molly Baier and he) have conferred prior to today’s meeting and expect to have a final version of the motions for the committee’s consideration next month. Mr. Hypolite noted that there is not a meeting scheduled for January 2007 so the motions will have to be considered at the February 2007 meeting.
8. New Business:
a) Sgt. Larry Gray noted the Police Office Department is over 300 officers short with as many as 600 retirements anticipated in the next couple of years. Baby boomers had fewer children and the system of replacement requires of the police academy to turn out more graduates, but can only process two or three classes at a time. Each one takes six months and is followed by four months of field training. The academy also has a high failure rate from applicant to the street. Currently, there are 2500 applicants for the exam set for January. Mayor Newsom has committed to 350 new employees this year. Sergeant Trenia L. Wearing noted that ideal recruits do not have anger management or drug related issues to start at entry level positions and branch out into different specialties.
Mr. Jones asked why the problem has occurred. Sgt Trenia cited television media coverage, general cynicism in the community, competing job opportunities as factors impacting the department’s ability to recruit successfully. Sgt. Gray also noted the fiscal crunch a couple of years ago affected the police departments like all other City departments.
Mr. Rhoe commented that youth perceptions are also affected by information conveyed to them by their parents who may have formed opinions about law enforcement from their home countries. Officer Balzarini noted the growth of the youth PAL cadet program as a source of new officers. He said he finds the cadets are energetic about a police officer career with only a few exceptions. Mr. Rhoe asked if demographic changes in the City are impacting recruitment. Sgt Gray noted that the cost of living in the City will not be offset by City subsidies. On the other hand the department employing proactive approaches to the internet, community event participation, etc…
Mr. Weber noted the black on black crime also impacts the department’s relationship with the community and wondered how the department will bridge relations with different communities. Sgt. Williams said the Department does participate in community events. Often recruiters will give potential recruits a card or some other means of contacting the department to pursue an interest in applying when their peers may discourage them from seeking a career as a police officer. Trust of the local officer is essential to over coming the effects of politics, community tensions, etc…Meetings like this one are also opportunities to ‘plant seeds’ to foster new recruits even though it may not result in a direct recruitment to an applicant.
Mr. Stram noted the LGBT Community Center’s newsletter can include print information about the department’s efforts.
Starting salary is approximately $65,718 to 91,499 (after five years of service). Mr. Jones thanked the officers for their recruitment efforts and noted that there is a serious need for officer so combat the crime situation in the City.
b) Marquez Gray, Senior Outreach Coordinator for Communities in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids (CHALK) reviewed that organizations programs and resources and procedures for applying for grant funding for Youth led programs. CHALK is a youth led project providing a range of youth services with a specific focus on transformative youth development and employment. CHALK is a project of Bay Area Community Resources. CHALK runs San Francisco’s Youthline Phone Line, Youthline Online, Youthline Publications, Youthline Media, Community Outreach, Youth Lead Training and Consultation and Youth Funding Youth Ideas. The organization is funded by the Department of Children Youth and Their Families. The organization focuses on reaching at-risk young people and giving back to the community. Youthline is a peer operated support line. Youth Funding Youth Ideas funds youth lead new initiatives up to $10,000. They review new project applications, conduct site visits, and provide capital for operations.
c) Lena Miller was unable to present due to illness.
9) Calendar Matters
The next meeting will be held:
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2007
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Place: HRC Offices
25 Van Ness Avenue, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
10) Adjournment
Rich Bondoc moved and Patrick Regan seconded to adjourn at 3:20 pm. It carried unanimously.