HomeMy Public PortalAbout1/03/1997 executiveCity of Greencastle
City Hall
Four East Walnut Street
Greencastle, Indiana 46135
GREENCASTLE BOARD OF WORKS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3,1997 10:30 A. NI. CITY HALL
Pamela S. Jones
Clerk- Treasurer
The Greencastle Board of Works met in Executive Session Friday, January 3, 1997, 10:30 a.m. at
City Hall. Mayor Michael called the meeting to order. On the Roll Call, the following Board
members were found to be present: Sue Murray and George Murphey.
The purpose of this meeting is to conduct interviews for the position of Chief of Police for the
City of Greencastle.
First to be interviewed was Randolph Seipel who is currently a Sergeant on the Police
Department. Mr. Seipel has been employed as an officer with the City of Greencastle since
1989.
® Mayor Michael asked Mr. Seipel why he wants to be Chief of Police. Mr. Seipel replied that
throughout college his desire was to be a Police Chief and he will bring nine years of experience
and a new perspective to the department.
Mayor Michael asked Mr_ Seipel what the most important characteristic is for a Police Chief.
Mr. Seipel replied that he believes honesty is the most important characteristic.
Ms. Murray asked Mr. Seipel what kind of different perspective he would bring to the
department. Mr. Seipel stated that as Greencastle has grown it has still kept the "small town
atmosphere" and he would like for people to continue to know the officers as people. He would
also like to see monthly articles to help familiarize the community with the Police Department
and encourage officers to become more involved with community groups.
Mayor Michael asked how Mr. Seipel would get the officers involved in their off time. Mr.
Seipel stated that you lead by example. Time is always a factor, but everyone can still be
involved to some extent, no matter how small. Mr. Seipel stated that he would also verbally
encourage the officers to be involved.
Mayor Michael asked Mr. Seipel how he would work with the budget constraints and make them
work to his advantage. Mr. Seipel stated that he would actively involve the department in
meetings - get opinions and have everyone help in setting priorities for the department.
" M s . M u r r a y a s k e d M r . S e i p e l h o w h e f e e l s a b o u t t h e R e s e r v e F o r c e . M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t h e
l i k e s t h e R e s e r v e F o r c e , s o m e t i m e s t h e y a r e a s k e d t o d o m o r e t h a n t h e y s h o u l d , b u t i f y o u t r a i n
t h e m a n d h a v e t h e m u t i l i z e d a s a s s i s t i n g o f f i c e r s , t h e y a r e a g r e a t b e n e f i t . T h e y a r e a l s o v e r y
h e l p f u l i n c o m m u n i t y a c t i v i t i e s s u c h a s p a r a d e s , 4 t h o f J u l y , e t c .
M a y o r M i c h a e l s t a t e d t h a t t h e R e s e r v e b u d g e t f o r 1 9 9 7 h a s b e e n c u t . W h a t i s t h e b e s t w a y t o g e t
t h e R e s e r v e s s t a r t e d a g a i n ? M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t y o u n e e d t o s e t a n u m b e r o f h o w m a n y
R e s e r v e s y o u w a n t , l o o k a t t h e m o n e y f o r t r a i n i n g a n d e x p e n s e s a n d w o r k w i t h w h a t y o u h a v e .
Y o u c a n a d d a s t i m e g o e s o n . M r . S e i p e l c o n t i n u e d t h a t f o u r o f t h e o f f i c e r s o n t h e G P D a r e
c e r t i f i e d t r a i n e r s a n d t h a t c o u l d c u t s o m e o f t h e c o s t .
M r . M u r p h e y a s k e d h o w M r . S e i p e l w o u l d h a n d l e a h i g h s p e e d c h a s e . M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t
t h e r e i s w r i t t e n p o l i c y o n h o w t o h a n d l e h i g h s p e e d c h a s e s . P u b l i c s a f e t y i s t h e b i g g e s t i s s u e a n d
y o u c a n a l w a y s r a d i o i n f o r m a t i o n t o a n o t h e r o f f i c e r i n t h e v i c i n i t y w h e r e t h e c a r i s h e a d e d .
M a y o r M i c h a e l a s k e d M r . S e i p e l w h a t h i s s t r e n g t h s a r e . M r . S e i p e l r e p l i e d t h a t h e i s h o n e s t ,
h a r d w o r k i n g , d e d i c a t e d a n d w a n t s t o b e a p a r t o f t h e d e p a r t m e n t . M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t h e t r i e s
t o s h a r e h i s e x p e r i e n c e s w i t h t h e y o u n g e r o f f i c e r s , h e i s l e v e l h e a d e d , h a s n a t u r a l l e a d e r s h i p
a b i l i t i e s a n d m a k e s g o o d d e c i s i o n s .
M a y o r M i c h a e l a s k e d i f t h e r e w e r e a n y n e g a t i v e s . M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t h e i s a p r o c r a s t i n a t o r
a n d s o m e t i m e s g e t s f o c u s e d o n o n e t h i n g a n d c a n ' t s e e m t o s h a k e t h a t p a r t i c u l a r t h i n g .
� M s . M u r r a y a s k e d w h a t M r . S e i p e l ' s f e e l i n g s a r e o n t h e D A R E p r o g r a m . M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t
h e d o e s n ' t k n o w a l o t a b o u t t h e p r o g r a m , b u t t h e i d e a i s v e r y g o o d .
M s . M u r r a y a s k e d w h a t t h e g r e a t e s t p r o b l e m f a c i n g G r e e n c a s t l e i s . M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t
g r o w i n g p a i n s a l w a y s h a v e t o b e a d d r e s s e d . T h e r e i s a l s o a l o t o f p u b l i c c o n c e r n r e g a r d i n g
c r i m e s . M r . S e i p e l f e e l s t h a t t h e p o l i c e s h o u l d k e e p a h i g h p r o f i l e , a l l o w p e o p l e t o s e e t h e
o f f i c e r s o u t . W o r k w i t h o t h e r d e p a r t m e n t s t o h e l p s o l v e c r i m e s .
M s . M u r r a y a s k e d h o w t h e C i t y P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t , D e P a u w S e c u r i t y a n d t h e S h e r i f f s
D e p a r t m e n t i n t e r a c t w i t h e a c h o t h e r . M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t a l l t h e d e p a r t m e n t s w o r k w e l l
t o g e t h e r a n d c a n c o u n t o n e a c h o t h e r f o r h e l p .
M r . M u r p h e y a s k e d i f t h e r e a r e r a c i a l p r o b l e m s i n G r e e n c a s t l e . M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t a s m o r e
m i n o r i t i e s m o v e i n , t h e o n l y r e a l p r o b l e m h e s e e s i s p o s s i b l y c o m m u n i c a t i o n , b u t o t h e r w i s e t h e
f e e l i n g h a s b e e n p o s i t i v e a n d t h e r e a r e n o r e a l r a c i a l p r o b l e m s i n G r e e n c a s t l e .
M r . M u r p h e y s t a t e d t h a t s e v e r a l J a p a n e s e h a v e m o v e d t o G r e e n c a s t l e . I f y o u s t o p p e d a J a p a n e s e
a n d c o u l d n o t u n d e r s t a n d t h e m , h o w w o u l d y o u h a n d l e t h i s ? M r . S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t m o s t o f t h e
J a p a n e s e c a n s p e a k a n d u n d e r s t a n d E n g l i s h t o a c e r t a i n e x t e n t . I f h e h a d a r e a l p r o b l e m , M r .
S e i p e l s t a t e d t h a t h e w o u l d c o n t a c t d i s p a t c h t o g e t a n i n t e r p r e t e r . M r . S e i p e l f e e l s s o m e t h i n g
O s h o u l d b e p u t i n p l a c e t o h a v e a l i s t o f i n t e r p r e t e r s a v a i l a b l e i f n e e d e d .
Mr. Murphey asked how Mr. Seipel would handle a sticky situation within the Department. Mr.
Seipel replied that he would get the SOP out, get specifics of problem, contact the Mayor and
the City Attorney. I would go to the Mayor with a solution that I feel would work. If the Mayor
didn't agree with my solution then we would work it out. You have to address problems, they do
not go away.
Ms. Murray asked if there was one thought as to why you are the best candidate, what would that
thought be. Mr. Seipel replied that he is open minded and hard working enough to work with
everyone and to accept the responsibilities that go along with the job.
Mr. Murphey asked Mr. Seipel what his next goal would be if he made Chief. Mr. Seipel replied
that he has decided to put in 20 years with the City Police. I guess running for Sheriff is a
possibility, but I like where I'm at.
Mayor Michael asked if a Physical Fitness program was need for the department. Mr. Seipel
stated that he would certainly benefit from it and would strongly encourage a program.
Mayor Michael asked about the negative aspects on family life if he was appointed Chief. Mr.
Seipel replied that in life there are always things you have to give up. He and his wife have
worked things out so far and would continue to do so.
Ms. Murray asked Mr. Seipel if there was one thought he would like to leave the Board with.
Mr. Seipel replied that he is dedicated to the City, he plans to put in his twenty year, he enjoys
the job and would like to enhance the department.
The next person to be interviewed was James Baugh. Mr. Baugh is currently a Deputy with the
Sheriffs Department.
Mayor Michael asked Mr. Baugh why he wanted to be Police Chief Mr. Baugh stated that he
was with the City Police for 4 -1/2 years - has a lot to offer - years of experience, commitment
and leadership.
Mayor Michael asked Mr. Baugh what he thinks is the most important characteristic in a Police
Chief. Mr. Baugh responded having a Professional Police Department.
Mayor Michael asked how Mr. Baugh would work with the Budget constraints. Mr. Baugh
stated that you need good equipment and personnel to have a professional department and Mr.
Baugh stated that he is willing to work a shift if needed to help save overtime funds.
Ms. Murray asked what Mr. Baugh has to offer aside from leadership and professionalism. Mr.
Baugh stated that he has commitment, leadership, experience and the courage to stay.
Ms. Murray asked if there were any negatives. Mr. Baugh stated that he has never thought of
that.
Mr. Murphey asked Mr. Baugh what his position the Reserve Force is. Mr. Baugh replied that
he would do whatever the Mayor wanted. If the reserve force is to be expanded Mr. Baugh
stated that he would take applications and hand -pick the force. Reserves have a place in the
department, but they should never work alone.
Mayor Michael asked how Mr. Baugh felt the officers would accept him. Mr. Baugh stated that
he feel they would accept him. He knows all of them and has worked with them and has trained
many of them.
Ms. Murray asked how Mr. Baugh feels about a physical fitness program. Mr. Baugh stated that
he is a firm believer - a fitness program is a must. Mayor Michael asked Mr. Baugh how he
would enact a program. Mr. Baugh stated that if they can do their training while they are on
duty the results are much better.
Ms. Murray asked how Mr. Baugh feels about the DARE program. Mr. Baugh stated that his
feelings about the program are mixed. When the program first started it was exceptional, but it
is a program that you have to stay with to make work. Ms. Murray asked if Mr. Baugh would
commit an officer to the program. Mr. Baugh replied that if there was an officer that was
interested he would, but the person has to want to do the program before it will work.
Mr. Murphey asked what Mr. Baugh's next goal was if he was to be appointed Chief of Police -
Sheriff? Mr. Baugh replied that if he was Police Chief he would not run for Sheriff in 1998.
Ms. Murray asked what is the biggest public safety issue? Mr. Baugh replied that domestic
violence and alcohol abuse are the biggest safety issues, but if your officers are trained they can
handle anything they are faced with.
Ms. Murray asked what Mr. Baugh's feelings are on 911. Mr. Baugh stated that he enjoys
working with other departments. It's possible that some could be combined, but I don't know all
the inside information on the subject.
Mayor Michael asked if there are any racial conflicts in the community. Mr. Baugh stated that
there are none that he knows of.
Mr. Murphey asked what Mr. Baugh's policy or instruction would be for a high speed chase. Mr.
Baugh stated that if someone committed murder he would get them no matter what, but if the
person just ran a stop sign he would not put anyone at risk with a high speed chase.
Ms. Murray asked Mr. Baugh if there was one last thought he would like to express to the Board
as to why he is the best candidate. Mr. Baugh stated that the City has as good department but
with his leadership, commitment and training the department could be better.
•
Motion to adjourn made by Ms. Murray. Seconded Mr. Murphey. Vote was unanimous.
Nancy A. chael, Mayor
ATT,
Pamela S. Jones, Cle c- e rer
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