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Show Page Eight - The Pyramid -- February 8, 1995 Survey leaves local police room to improve MT. PLEASAN- T- A number of recommendations were made by South Jordan City Police Chief John E. Parker following a recent evaluation of the police department, which was commissioned by die city at the suggestion of Councilman David Black-haAccording to his report, areas of weakness included training, evidence chain of custody, image and an outdated policy and procedure manual. Evidence Parkers recommendations began with the appointment of a sole property custodian to log, tag and store evidence, as well as need for a primary and a secondary secured evidence storage area which would include a refrigerated unit for perishables such as blood and urine samples. A rangemaster should be appointed to schedule firearms training sessions a minimum of twice a year, but preferably four times a year, one of which should be a nighttime session. Instruction should also include use of force and aerosol defensive weapons. job within the city to create a e job if funding is availfull-tim- able. A mutual aid pact must be immediately signed with the county to alleviate liability when a city officer responds to and performs law enforcement functions in county areas. An additional comment involved the purchase of new police vehicles when funding becomes available, instead of buying used, state surplus cars with their subsequent repair and Four citizens were interviewed and two of them cited on the status of lack of follow-u- p their cases as the police depart- ments weakness. Favorable comments Favorable comments were however, such as their aggressive enforcement of DUIs and their quick response also offered, time. The report Parker submitted contained only a critique of the police department based on his observations, along with his recommendations to solve exist ing and possible future problems. His report didnt include whats good about the force and the positive things they accomplish. Mayor Chesley Christensen said that this evaluation was a very positive thing and the city' will probably do the same thing with the rest of the departments when experts are located. "What Chief Parker observed were things that the department was already aware of and had under discussion, and action was already taken on many of them, said the Mayor. "For instance, the police department has been holding biweekly staff meetings for the past several years and they have been working on the policy and procedure manual for the past two years, and its nearing completion. Mayor Christensen added that evidence lockers are being modeled and that the police chief and the clerk will be the only ones with access. As far as training goes, the officers get it as the city can afford the time and money. When even one officer is gone, its difficult to cover his shift. "I think they do a fine job," the Mayor said. "Mt. Pleasant refers about 80 percent of the county juvenile problems to the system; out of 14 now on probation, 12 were brought in by our police, though none of those juveniles live in our city. "Our police department refers more incidents to the system than anyone else in the county because our police are out there on the streets-worki- ng! Training Training is currently conducted by the Sanpete County Sheriffs Office, but having another agency assume liability for training is not recommended, plus Parker contends that one agency is not equipped to instruct on another policy. agencys use-of-for- Weapons should be standardized because a rangemaster cannot be construed as competent to instruct in the use of many different makes, models and calibers of guns. In case of an officer-involve- d shooting, the rangemaster should be considered expert with the particular weapon used by the officer and should be able to A) Most banks will lend you only 80 demonstrate proper training. The police chief and sergeant should undergo supervisory training. Also, a field training program for new officers would help ensure continuity within the force even though employee turnover is low. ofyour home equity. Police & procedures The policy and procedures manual which appeared to be about 10 years old should be rewritten and upgraded. While police vehicles are obvious because of their lights and sirens, they should be appropriately marked with an emblem or logo so as to readily identify them as Mt. Pleasant police cars. Uniforms and accessories should be standardized with all officers wearing the same type of equipment and clothing. Communication Communication needs to be developed between officers going off duty and those coming on regarding matters handled during the previous shift or still pending. Also, monthly meetings should be held with all officers present. A performance evaluation system should be established to ensure that personnel problems can be identified and dealt with promptly and fairly, and to avoid personal error or bias. Police reports Police reports should be submitted within 24 hours. Currently, it appears no time limit exists for them to be com-- , pleted and turned in, which leads people to perceive the department as inefficient when a citizen needs a copy of a report on a traffic accident or a criminal offense. A lot of loose dogs were observed during the evaluation and it appeared that there wasnt enough time for officers to attend to their regular police work and do an adequate job of animal control. It was recommended that e animal control officer a hired be or, possibly, combine e that job with another B) Bank One will lend you up to 100 ofyour home equity. , part-tim- part-tim- Angela Nelson, daughter of Kay and Janice Nelson of Moroni, received her Young Womanhood Recognition Award on Sunday, Feb. 5, 1995. For some reason, most banks dontthink LoanByPhone 20 of your house is worth much. Apply for a home equity loan, and theyll lend you money based on only 80 of your equity. Bank One, on the other hand, believes in givingyou full credit, as in 100 Home Equity Loans. Apply for a loan and you can borrow up to 100 of your home equity. And you pay no closing costs (points or fees) . Better still, only 30-minu-te 1t 30 minutes Bank One givesyou approval in less than right over the phone. New boat, remodeled kitchen, trip to Europe, bill consolidation. Whatever your needs, a 100 Home Equity Loan is a fast, easy way to finance them. 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