Document text
Gold Hill keeps police department By JIM DAVIS GOLD HILL -- The city will keep its police department for two more years -- and look into getting an independent "police commissioner" to act as a department ombudsmen. The Gold Hill City Council voted 4-1 Monday night to keep a city police department until June 2001 while also looking into getting a community member or possible part-time worker to oversee the city's police chief and department, set policies and handle complaints. "It's going to be important to find someone without an ax to grind," said Steve Straughan, chairman of the city's public safety committee. No decision was made on the fate of Gold Hill Police Chief Dave Crawford, whose contract runs through June 30. He was arrested last year on two charges of attempted coercion. His trial is scheduled to begin April 22 in Jackson County Court. He is the city's lone paid officer. The public safety committee was formed Dec. 8 in response to complaints about the city's department. Members met several times to look at the best ways to provide police coverage for the city of 1,240. Last week, the committee gave city council members a 12-page report focusing on three proposals: contracting with the Jackson County sheriff's office for a full-time deputy in the city, contracting with sheriff's office for less than full-time service, and keeping a police chief but adding an "independent police commissioner and/or mediator to assist the council in stabilizing accountability and supervision of its department." Councilwoman Donna Silva suggested that the council open the issue up to a series of public hearing. But the rest of the council wanted to decide the issue Monday night. "I'd like to just deal with it and move on," said Councilwoman Lisa Alexander. Councilwoman Judy Curtiss said a contract with the sheriff's office would force the city to give up local control of its law enforcement. Councilman Patrick Pillon suggested that the council adopt the "police commissioner" proposal. Silva asked how the city would pay for a police commissioner. The committee's report noted that a paid part-time commissioner may cost as much as $10,000 a year. But Silva was the only council member to vote against the idea. After the meeting, Alexander said the council would flesh out the position of police commissioner at future meetings. Alexander, who was on the public safety committee, said that there were people identified as a possible commissioner candidates, but they hadn't been approached about the idea. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA