Council debates interim police commander pay

After some debate Tuesday, Cloquet city councilors unanimously approved a temporary pay raise for Cloquet police commander Carey Ferrell, who has been fulfilling the duties of police chief since Chief Jeff Palmer went on “voluntary paid leave” effective April 16.

The increase will take Ferrell’s pay rate from $85,722 per year to $102,096 a year, prorated for each month. The raise will be backdated a month, and the council approved two additional months of extra pay but asked that the arrangement come back to the council if the situation has not been resolved by then.

In his request, city administrator Aaron Reeves originally suggested the raise be effective “until the chief of police returns to duty or such time as a new chief of police has been appointed and started his/her position with the city.”

Reeves has previously said he could not comment on the reasons behind Palmer’s absence, other than to note that it was not related to any complaints or investigations regarding Palmer.

Ward 1 Councilor Sheila Lamb asked that the pay increase be moved from the Consent Agenda so it could be discussed. Lamb was concerned with the financial implications to the department, and asked if the duties could be divided between the two commanders.

Reeves said no.

“We need someone to assume the role — only one person — but we discussed with Commander Ferrell that he has to spread out some of his duties in the interim,” Reeves said.

According to the department’s policy manual, in the absence or availability of the chief, the order of command goes to patrol division commander (Ferrell) first, and to the investigation/administrative commander (Derek Randall) if the patrol commander is not available.

Ward 4 councilor Kerry Kolodge pointed out that the position is currently at the top of the pay range.

“Obviously if Chief Palmer returns to work, he would be getting that salary,” Kolodge said. “But if he doesn’t come back to work and we decide we have to look at somebody else to fill the position, I don’t want us to be tied to this $102,000 because that’s the top of the pay range. I’d like to see the council have the ability to put the person — depending on experience, education — someplace along that line.”

Reeves said “if” the city does have to hire a new chief, it will be completely up to the council to select the person and decide where he or she fits on the pay range, whether it’s an external or internal candidate.

“It makes sense to compensate (Ferrell) for the job he’s doing as chief now,” Ward 3 Councilor Dakota Koski said. “It’s not his fault he was asked to do this.”