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<br /> <br />Paetznick responded to the questions the Council has submitted and reviewed the results from the March 2017 <br />citizen survey. He reported the Public Safety Department was among the highest rated service in New <br />Brighton receiving “excellent” or “good” ratings by 9 out of 10 or more residents. He discussed the factors <br />that are known to affect the volume and type of crime occurring in the community. He described how the <br />City’s Crime Free Multi-Housing Ordinance has assisted the community. A 32 year history of the Part One <br />crimes was reviewed with the Council, along with crimes against persons. He commented there has been a <br />reduction in property crimes and juvenile arrests over the past few years noting there has been a steady climb <br />in calls for service. Further discussion ensued regarding the calls for service each year that occur in New <br />Brighton. <br /> <br />Paetznick discussed the Public Safety Department’s complaint process. He commented on the policies and <br />procedures that were place to investigate allegations of misconduct and noted copies of these procedures must <br />be made available to the public upon request. He described the discussions that were held amongst supervisors <br />regarding personnel matters. He stated formal complaints were few and far between for his officers. He <br />explained that some complaints were generated internally to ensure the department was policing its own staff. <br />The grievance procedure was also discussed. <br /> <br />Paetznick reviewed the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) requirements. He <br />noted Minnesota was the only state in the country that required a two year college degree to become a police <br />officer while also requiring officers to pass the POST licensing exam. He discussed the department’s field <br />training officer (FTO) program noting there were four comprehensive phases. The specialized training and <br />continuing education courses each officers receive on a yearly basis was then described. Then then turned his <br />comments to the LISTEN initiative and the comments he has received from the public. He stated he was very <br />proud of the positive culture that has been created within the New Brighton Public Safety Department. He <br />encouraged the community to get to know the officers within the department. The department’s traffic and use <br />of force statistics were reviewed and it was noted less than 1% of all cases require use of force. He thanked the <br />Council for their time and stated he would continue to listen to the community. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson thanked Director Paetznick for his presentation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth thanked Director Paetznick for his presentation and for his willingness to engage <br />in this conversation. She appreciated the fact that the City was having an open dialogue in order to improve <br />the relationship between the Public Safety Department and the public even better. She understood the Public <br />Safety Department always receives high marks from the community surveys. She asked if the City had a <br />demographic breakdown on who completes the community survey. She indicated the communities of color <br />may respond to the survey differently than other communities. She explained the City had a lot of data and she <br />inquired how the department gauged this data. Paetznick commented on the practical experience his officers <br />have with the community and how this is gauged against the citizens. He stated different survey instruments <br />and feedback is always valuable to the department. <br /> <br />Councilmember Fynewever stated activist groups that are forming in New Brighton may need the City Council <br />to curate space and intersections in order to be heard by the Public Safety Department. She appreciated the <br />listening that the department was doing at this time, but she wanted the department to also have positive action. <br />She suggested a special worksession meeting be held to discuss Public Safety further in order to invite the <br />public in to discuss how this would look and work. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson asked if Councilmember Fynewever was asking for a community conversation type forum. <br /> <br />Councilmember Fynewever commented she appreciated the listening space that had been created by the Public <br />Safety Department but she would also like the City to be responsive in positive actions. She believed an