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182 <br /> <br />TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1999 <br /> <br />commented that it was important to realize that the City, overall, was a great place to live, and that <br />problems that had been discussed represented small pocket areas of trouble that would be <br />addressed, and that it was important not to dwell on them as representative of conditions <br />throughout the entire city. Mrs. Pinkard agreed with the Mayor's assessment. Mayor Crabtree <br />stated that the primary message is that the City's resources would respond when called upon, and <br />address problems as they arise. Vice Mayor Teague then asked Chief Edwards if there was <br />anything the Council could do to help he and his staff address staff turnover in the Police <br />Department. Chief Edwards stated that he and City Manager Reynolds had been working together <br />closely on the issue, .and felt that progress had been made on finding solutions to the problem. <br />Chief Edwards stated that the department's starting salaries were above average for the region, and <br />that officers were leaving for reasons other than better compensation, such as the desire to relocate <br />to their homes elsewhere. Chief Edwards noted that his greatest concern was retention of the most <br />experienced officers, and that compensation and other issues for these personnel may need to be <br />reviewed. Vice Mayor Teague stated that it was important to address the issue of remover. Mr. <br />Lafayette Jones then asked if the Police Department was currently recruiting, and whether good <br />progress was being made in this area. Chief Edwards responded that the department was <br />recruiting actively, including posting on the Internet, and that careful consideration was being <br />given to the minimum qualifications and skills necessary to perform as an officer in the current <br />environment, including technical skills. The Chief noted that there had been a drop off of <br />applicant numbers following the implementation of a minimum two year associates degree <br />requirement, but that applicant numbers were now increasing again. He stated that starting <br />salaries for City officers were higher than those in Henry County, except for the more experienced <br />officers, and that educational ,requirements for City officers were more stringent. Captain <br />Simmington then provided a report on patrol enforcement activity during the period June 1, 1999 <br /> <br /> <br />