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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda_Miscellaneous_04/27/1990_Director of Public Safety Candidates � �� � � SUGGESTSD INTERVZSW QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR OF PUHLIC SAFETY C1�NDIDSTES An interview should not stand alone. Some candidates who are impressive in an interview turn out badly on the �ob, as we have all experienced at one time or another. Interviewers should consider accumulated background information, known weaknesses, and identified points of concern to help them air the most important issues during the interview. Remember, there is no obligation to select frv� those candidates interviewed. EDWARD C. HOW�LL o Briefly, tell us about yourself, background and experience. o What factors do you see within the Tequesta Police Department which are favorable or which could potentially produce good resuits reiative to the creation of a fully consolidated Department of Public Safety? o Another question, if desired. WILLIAM E. BURCKART o Please describe your personal management epproaches and theories. o What do you see as being the initial priorities of the Director of Pubiic Safety? o Another question, if desired. EARL L. COLLINGB o The 4th of July, 1995 ia going to be a besutiful day. The expansion of Corai Cove Park on Beach Road in Tequesta has been completed. There wili be a 10,000 beach populetion. Beach Road wiii be �ammed as usuai on such days and the buik of the people in the area wili probabiy want to atay to view the traditionai fireworks dispiay which oriqinates to the south at the Jupiter Inlet. Interview Questions for Director of Public Safety Candidates Page 2 - -------------------------------- Using whatever knowledge you have or can acquire for the purpose of this question, describe your "game plan" for coverage of the Village of Tequesta as its Director of Public Safety during this period. What extraordinary problems might you anticipate and how would you prepare to meet them? o Elaborate upon the pros and cons of a fully consolidated Public Safety Department versus traditional service delivery from separate Police and Fire Rescue Departments. o Another question, if desired. RON T. MACKAIL o Explain what the goals of a career development program should be in a Department of Public Safety and what plans you would implement to achieve them. o Explain your views on recruitment of Public Safety personnel in regard to age, height, intelligence, education, psychological and psychiatric examinations, as well as in regard to women and ethnic groups. o Any other question, if desired. JOSEPH N. CAPRETTA o Define the role of the Village Council, Village Manager and Director of Public Safety and what you consider to be the proper working relationship between each? o While you are on vacation, a member of the Village Council contacts a Captain in your Department and indicates a desire for the "No Parking Restrictions" in the Tequesta Country Club area be more stringently enforced. To date, the Department has reluctantly employed parking citation issuance and follow-up tow-away request authority. After receiving the Councilmembers complaint, the Captain orders the Public Safety Patrol Officers to strictly enforce parking regulations ticketing every car in violation of the Parking Code and ordering tow-aways as authorized. This mandate leads to the immediate issuance of a large volume of tickets and a comparable expression of public dissatisfaction. This is the situation when you arrive on the job the next morning. Interview Questions for Director of Public Safety Candidates Page 3 - ---------------------------------------- What actions would you take in this situation? FOLLOW-UP 1. Would you say anything to the Captain? If so, what? 2. Would the Councilmembers complaint merit a response? If so, what? Why? 3. How, if at all, will you respond to the news media toward demanding an explanation for the sudden change of enforcement? 4. Should the Captain have handled the situation differently? If so, how? a) Any benefit in news publicity prior to the enforcement? b) Any benefit in warning tickets? o Another question, if desired. THOMAS G. BRADFORD o What personal and professional weaknesses, if any, do you perceive in yourself? o Please explain to the Village Council your understanding of the terms aggressive-preventive patrol and directed patrol. Could you elaborate on the advantages and disadvantage of each? Do you favor either approach to patrolling? FOLLOW-UP 1. If applicant does not recognize the term(s): a) Ask if he wants to guess at their meaning. b) If not, or if incorrect, then briefly explain the term(s). Interview Questions for Public Safety Director Candidates Page 4 - ----------------------------------- 2. If applicant favors its use: a) Why? b) Would such a practice increase manpower needs? If so, why would he justify the additional expenditures? 3. If applicant opposes its use: a) Why? b) Any justifiable alternatives? o Another question, if desired. OPTIONAL QUESTION LIST o Based upon your review of the Tequesta Police Department, please provide us with your views as to the problems, if any, within the Department. o Tell us what you believe the components of discipline to be, how you would develop a sound disciplinary program for the Department of Public Safety, and what relationships should exist between the Department and citizens who complain about Public Safety Officer conduct. o As Director of Public Safety, what would be your posture toward the desires of Tequesta Police Department employees? What would you regard as your responsibility to the desires of the Village Administration? a) Do you foresee potential conflicts? b) If so, please delineate. c) How would you resolve? d) If no conflict is anticipated, pose one and ask for his comment and method of resolution. Is there a need for confidentiality in the labor negotiation process? Please explain your response. What method would you recommend for handling/processing grievances? Interview Questions for Director of Public Safety Candidates Page 5 - --------------------------------------- o Please relate to the Village Council your understanding of "collective bargaining". What do you see as the current major issues pertaining to Public Safety Services and what is your position on the same? What is your perception of management's rights in a labor agreement? Regardless of any existing method in Tequesta, what role do you think the Director of Public Safety should play in labor negotiations with a Public Safety Union? a) Why? b) What are the primary obstacles, if any, which must be overcome to arrive at and maintain this role? o During your career as a Public Safety Official, are there any laws which have existed, but which you have not enforced? FOLLOW-UP 1. If yes: a) Would you delineate certain examples? b) Is it correct to state that a Public Safety Officer is obligated/sworn to enforce the law? If so, can you justify failure to enforce? c) Are sworn officials subject to penalties for failure to enforce laws? 2. If no: a) Are any laws unrealistic and/or impractical? b) Is it possible for any law to merit enforcement more than any other law? c) Realistically, how would the public react to enforcement action against every violation of every law? 3. For either response: a) Should the Public Safety Officials do anything about "unpopular" laws? b) As a Public Safety Commander, would you have a specific responsibility with respect to "unpopular" laws? . Znterview Questions for Director of Public Safety Candidates Paqe 6 - --------------------------------------- o The individual selected as Director of Public Safety will come into a well organized 21 person Police Department. The Director of Public Safety, if from outside the Department, will be coming in over several ranking officers, each of whom may believe that he should have been selected for the position or that consolidation of the Department is inappropriate. Many of these individuals have been in the Department for ten to twenty years and have during this time acquired their own supporters. in such an instance, there is aiways the possibility that the Department, wouid �oin in "shutting out" a new Director selected from the outside. A) In your opinion, how serious is this possibility? B) What would you do as the new Director to prevent this from occurring and to stop it if it did occur? FOLLOW-UP ,1. If the applicant does not regard this as a problem: a) Why does he not feei that it wili be an obstacle? b) How does he intend to detect whether it is happening? 2. If the candidate believes it wiil be a ma�or problem: a ) Why? . . . b) Have you been involved with a similar problem before? In what capacity? What steps did you take? 3. Ask general follow-up questions regardinq the policies and procedures the appiicant wouid empioy?� April 27, 1990