CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Safety Committee Meeting | Wednesday, April 28, 2021 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:05 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:15 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey | | Vice Chairperson Sarai Rivera | | Councilor Donna M Colorio |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M Toomey
Vice Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Donna M Colorio | | | | | Also: | Fire Chief Michael Lavoie
Chief Diversity Officer of the Fire Department Cpt. William Mosley
WPD Sgt. Derrick Leto
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| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Public Safety hereby approves the minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting on March 15, 2021. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) | |
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| | | 2a. | In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 157 258 3514) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3.
https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=edbe9d21180d697594acb5d1b597b7e5b | Attachments | | | | | | | No speakers were recognized during this portion of the meeting. | |
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| | | 3a. | Resolution of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to implement a paid cadet program in both the police and fire departments, and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal.
# 16l CC March 2, 2021 | Attachments | | | In Committee for informational purposes only | | |
| | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Fire Chief, who discussed a desire to expand the pool of applicants interested in Fire Service, including recruiting at local schools and college.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey discussed potential directions around expanding recruitment by using a model similar Rochester, NY, as well as engagements the Fire Department has with the community and costs associated with the civil service test for Fire Department applicants with the Chief Diversity Officer of the Fire Department.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the importance of analyzing other communities’ successes diversifying their departments and for WFD and WPD employees remaining in the city.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed targeting school systems and creating ROTC-like youth programs to build relationships with the community.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning costs associated with any implementation of a cadet program, as well as the successes of other cadet programs, such as the one in Hartford, CT.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the WPD Sargent, who discussed current undertakings relative to diversifying the Worcester Police Department, including creating a cadet program similar to the Boston Police Department, engagements with the community and the numbers surrounding the upcoming Police Department’s Civil Service test.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the successes the Police Department has had recruiting and reaching community.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the Police Department’s Cadet Program.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey discussed ways to continue engagement with the community, the structure of the Police Cadet Program and its budget, as well as the success rate for turning cadets into police officers with the WPD Sargent.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning costs associated with any implementation of a cadet program, as well as the successes of other cadet programs, such as the one in Hartford, CT. | |
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