Houston County Courier - Local News

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Meadows questions Crockett police chief about substitute policy
Houston County Courier

By Lynda Jones
Managing Editor

During the Monday, June 18 Crockett City Council meeting, Councilman Robert Meadows asked Police Chief Jimmy Fisher a series of policy questions pertaining to the use of substitutes for Fisher when he is unable to teach classes at Crockett ISD. Fisher has taught law enforcement classes at Crockett High School on a part-time basis for several years. Meadows began by asking Fisher for what reasons a substitute teacher typically would be needed. Fisher responded he is required to attend a police chiefs’ conference for one week at Sam Houston State University, and that this year he was subpoenaed three times to district or county court. Meadows asked for an estimate of how many times Fisher was absent from his teaching duties over the past year. Fisher said, “Out of 180 (school) days, I would say approximately eight to 10. That’s including the week I was gone to Sam Houston State.” “How is the substitute officer compensated?” Meadows asked next. “He clocks out at the P.D. and he goes out there, if he’s on schedule. We try to get him when he’s off and he’s treated as off duty. He clocks out. He falls under the substitute pay for Crockett ISD. He does not get paid from both ends. The City of Crockett does not pay,” Fisher responded. “Is the officer on duty?” Meadows asked. “ No, Sir,” Fisher replied. Meadows then asked, “Does the officer perform any other duties while on substitute assignment?” “No, Sir,” Fisher said. “What are the criteria or qualifications for the substitute officers?” Meadows asked. “That comes from the Texas Education Agency and the Crockett Independent School District. They set those criteria. They have to be fi ngerprinted. They have to have a background investigation completely run on that particular individual. That’s what I know about substitute teachers. They have to go through a process the Texas Education Agency has adopted,” Fisher explained. “There’s nothing over that as far as a police offi cer being out there?” Meadows asked, to which Fisher responded, “Right.” “How do you choose which offi cer teaches as a substitute?” Meadows continued. “That is not my call. That is the Crockett Independent School District call. I submit a name; the school district approves or disapproves.” When asked how he chooses a name to submit, Fisher said, “They have to make the kids feel safe in the classroom. They have to know what they’re doing; they have to take control of the classroom; they have to know the subject area that they’re to be teaching.” “Is that opportunity to teach out there given to all the offi cers?” Meadows queried. “Yes, Sir,” Fisher answered. “Has it ever come before City Council for an offi cer to be approved to teach for you? I think maybe you alluded that between your recommendation and CISD approves it?” Meadows asked. “Yes, Sir,” Fisher said. Meadows thanked Fisher for his responses. Councilman Chris Gunnels asked if any other offi cers on the CPD are allowed to come to work, clock out to go work security, . . .” Fisher answered, “Yes, Sir, we do it all the time. We do it for football games, we do it for the Lions Club Rodeo, we do it for any event the public asks for a specifi c offi cer, if the schedule will allow.” In other business, the city council held a public hearing on a request from Lynn Van Noy for a conditional use permit for an alternative natural health therapy to be located at 103 Corot. No action was required by council due to the withdrawal of the request by Van Noy. Mayor Wayne Mask reported the Planning and Zoning Committee vote against granting the request. Pat Dickey spoke against the proposal, stating the area has been a residential area for more than 100 years and she would like it to remain that way. Houston County Judge Chris von Doenhoff also spoke against the proposal, as did another resident of the area Van Noy was not present, but there were citizens who spoke on behalf of her and her business. One who spoke is Van Noy’s mother, who explained there had been some confusion about when the matter would come up before the council. She said Van Noy had a trip previously scheduled for this week. There was speculation that Van Noy will reapply for the permit. Her mother explained the logistics of the property, suggesting there would be no parking on the street and that Van Noy would schedule only one appointment at a time with no overlap. The council voted to table an agenda item involving the minimum and maxium water level amounts for the contract between Houston County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 and the City of Crockett. City Administrator Ron Duncan reported the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires the city to contract for an increased amount of water. He explained the TCEQ has a different formula for calculating a city’s need for water. The council determined it needs more information before it votes on the issue. During public comments, Geneva Gardner reported concerns about increased crime in her neighborhood, saying people have even stolen her water to water their horses when she is not at home. Mask told her he was sure Fisher will make sure the police increase their presence in the neighborhood, and Fisher agreed. Councilman Larry Robbins encouraged citizens in the area to speak out as Gardner as and to work together to make their neighborhood a safer place to live. Robbins said, “Let’s join hands and make this a better community for everybody.” Another citizen complained about diffi culty disposing of limbs at the city recycling center. She also discussed the problem of dead trees on private property and trash on Goliad St. Duncan explained the chipper at the recycling center is 15-20 years old and will not take more than a four-inch trunk. He also suggested the city explore the possibility of the setting aside a site where the city can have an occasional burn of dead tree limbs. Before the meeting adjourned, Gunnels asked to place a discussion of takehome vehicles on the next meeting agenda, and Meadows wants to discuss putting in time clocks in city departments