Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport of Police Department - Seventh Position 2004r b47r� I-, Kenneth W. Lansing Chief of Police Village of Cayuga Heights Police Department 836 Hanshaw Road • Ithaca, New York14850 -1590 • Phone: (607) 257 -1011 E -mail: KLANSING @Cayuga- Heights.NY.US • Fax: (607) 257 -3474 HISTORY OF SEVENTH POSITION This idea is not new. It has been talked about pre- Kendal. It became more of an issue as Kendal became a reality, but for some reason, it never came about. I chose not to revisit this issue before now as I have attempted in the last 6 years to hold budget lines at or below previous administrations. CONCEPT OF SEVENTH POSITION I would make this position a supervisory position to be filled by the current sergeant (not a new sergeant position). The idea would be that the sergeant would work a 6pm -2am shift or 7pm -3am shift. This shift would not create overtime by design. Should the shift be vacant because the sergeant is off for any reason, it would not be filled ... (it is a supervisors shift). This shift would not stop the normal patrol shifts from being covered should they become vacant during the normal course of business. However, if no one could cover a shift that was left vacant after going though the process described by the contract, the sergeant could cover the part of the shift left by the void and could opt to cover the remaining four hours for overtime. Should the need arise that the department has an officer who needs to be off for an extended leave due to illness or injury to them or family member, the sergeant would drop down into their slot rotating into the regular schedule at the time a new schedule is due to be posted as per the contract. He would remain there until such time the leave is finished. REQUEST FOR THIS POSITION AT THIS TIME Officer Cain had another seizure on 3/11/04 at 4:OOam at home. The cause has been determined to be not another tumor, but the scar tissue from the previous two operations. The hopes are that increasing his medication will correct the seizures from re- occurring. His return to work would be no less than six months. Therefore, the seventh position would be my proposal now. The real question that needs to be answered though is will Officer Cain ever be able to return to duty? My fears need to be addressed now in the interest of the well being of Officer Cain, the Police Dept. and the Village of Cayuga Heights. Should Officer Cain not be able to return to duty, I would be willing to revisit the position to see if it would be a position that' would remain. {I know this is not a smart statement to make —You never offer positions back after you get them ... if, in fact, I do get the position). However, I am willing to do just about anything to get this position so this department doesn't have to be short one full time officer for another extended length of time. For your information, I have already lost one part-timer because he couldn't give us what we needed. Another has told me of his impending resignation because his family life is being affected. I have persuaded him to hold off on his resignation until these issues can be addressed. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.