Johnston Council OKs Community Service Officer to Handle Police Department Tasks

Important tasks the Johnston Police Department need done -- from taking fingerprints for residents who need a background check for a job to processing evidence for criminal cases -- will soon be handled by a new position.

When the Johnston community raised money to expand the school district's Code 411 Program and contribute to a second school resource officer position, it left vital jobs open at the Johnston Police Department.

On Monday evening, Police Chief Bill Vaughn asked the Johnston City Council to consider and approve the creation of a community service officer to take on some of those tasks.

The council approved the item 5-0 in the consent agenda portion of the meeting.

The position, which would be filled by a civilian, would act in the following capacities:

• Property and evidence custodian
• Resident fingerprints
• Alcohol and tobacco compliance
• Child safety seat installations
• Abandoned and impounded vehicles

In the first part of November, Officer Rich Kirkeby became a full-time officer in charge of the 411 Program and work as a second school resource officer - primarily located at Summit Middle School, Vaughn said.

"Rich had a number of collateral duties," Vaughn said of the duties that could be performed by a non-peace officer. "Rather than come to backfill with another officer, it's a better business decision for all of these duties, rather than take an officer away from uniform patrol."

Vaughn said Ankeny, Clive and Windsor Heights have similar positions.

The position would have a starting salary of $39,265.

A portion of the salary would be paid for by the reimbursement received from the new SRO/Code 411 position. The Johnston school district and police department split the cost 60/40.

As a way to help offset the cost for the community service officer position, Vaughn proposed the police department begin to charge for fingerprinting.

Residents routinely come to the department to have fingerprints checked for job applications, background checks, citizenship applications and other needs.

"The model I'm seeing in the metro for fingerprints is law enforcement charging to roll those," Vaughn said. "The metro is charging $10 a card, typically you use two cards."

Last year, the department handled fingerprints for 326 residents, so far this year it has handled 355 residents' fingerprints.

"We do need to do something," Vaughn said. "These are critical functions that need to be done. Officer Kirkeby comes in early to do property and evidence then shoots to the school."

Councilman Gerd Claybaugh said he could attest to how long it takes to have fingerprints processed.

"I had to do it a few months ago, it is time consuming," he said. "I imagine the officer was with me for 15 to 20 minutes."

Vaughn said it wasn't unusual to have five or six people waiting for fingerprints over the noon hour.

Vaughn said perhaps the most crucial aspect of the job would be the property and evidence custodian.

"The integrity of property and evidence is the backbone to prosecuting," he said.

Councilman David Lindeman said Vaughn's idea was an innovative way to come up with someone to take care of the duties.

"I think it's a good idea going forward with it," he said.

Mayor Paula Dierenfeld said hiring a civilian for the position made a lot of sense.