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Quincy considers benefits for reserve police
City Council also exploring ordinance that would penalize adults who allow teenage drinking parties
The City of Quincy is looking into bolstering its policing by offering an incentive for reserve police officers and crafting an ordinance to fine adults who allow teen drinking parties. The City Council discussed both matters during its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Regarding the reserve officer program, Gus Winter, a Quincy Police Department Reserve Officer, was asked to look into the matter by the Quincy Public Safety Commission.
Winter told the council that the city could provide medical, disability and retirement benefist through coverage from the State of Washington Board of Volunteer Firefighters and Reserve Officers.
Reserve officers have to be certified and trained through the police academy and since they are not paid, it is difficult to attract reserve officers without some form of incentive program, said Quincy Police Captain Gene Fretheim.
Neighboring police departments, including Wenatchee, Soap Lake, Moses Lake and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, offer the board coverage to their reserve officers and have active reserve programs, said Winter. Grant County Fire District No. 3 also offers similar coverage for their volunteer firefighters. Fire District Chief Don Fortier said the coverage is a good incentive for the volunteers and helps with retention.
“It’s a pretty good benefit,” Fortier said. “This paid for a heart transplant for one of our firefighters.”
There are two parts to the coverage. The first part is a pension plan. For just $120 a year, a city reserve officer can participate in the pension plan. After 10 years, the reserve officer is vested and after the officer serves for a maximum of 25 years and reaches the age of 65, there is a monthly pension of $300. The relief program, which provides benefits for medical expenses, disability and death, would cost the city $145 per reserve office a year.
Fretheim said the Quincy Police Department has been contacted by reserve officers serving in other agencies who would be interested in working in Quincy if the coverage is in place.
“I think it’s a good benefit,” said city councilmember Scott Lybbert.
The council is expected to take action on the coverage during the Jan. 17 meeting.
Another topic of discussion was a proposed ordinance that would allow the city to fine any responsible adult who allows underage gatherings where four or more minors under 19 years old are consuming alcoholic beverages. The fine of $250 would be issued to the person who controls the property where the gathering is happening.
The ordinance comes from Mercer Island. The Mercer Island City Council passed the ordinance to combat underage drinking and hold adults who allow it to happen more responsible, said mayor Jim Hemberry.
Councilmember Jose Saldaña said he was concerned that the ordinance would move parties out into the country.
“We’re taking away one thing, but it could take it to the back roads or hills,” he said.
Replied Hemberry, “That could be true, but they’re still going to drive even if it is at someone’s house.”
Hemberry said the council should consider passing a similar ordinance because it puts the responsibility for parties on the adults who allow them.
When asked his opinion, Fretheim said he was in favor of it.
“I’m all for accountability,” he said.
