Friday, March 26, 2004

Hunt named officer of the year

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

Donald R. Hunt of the Fairburn Police Department received the 2003 “Officer of the Year” award at this Monday’s City Council meeting. Mayor Betty Hannah presented Hunt with a plaque commemorating his achievements on the force and informed those at the meeting that Officer Hunt had stopped more “in progress” crimes than any other officer over the previous year.

Hunt has also garnered lots of positive feedback from many of his fellow officers. “People actually know his name,” Mayor Hannah stated in reference to Hunt’s recognition in the community.

“Everything I do for my job I do for my mom,” Hunt said, adding that he strived to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps who was also a police officer. A standing ovation made it clear that officers like Hunt are well appreciated in Fairburn.

The City Council went on to approve a resolution for the use of speed detection devices on certain city streets. The new resolution was requested by the State of Georgia, Department of Public Safety in order for the city of Fairburn to retain its permit to use detection devices, which had originally been adopted in October of 1981.

In addition, an updated personnel policy was adopted Monday night. The 54-page document made a handful of adjustments to the original including:

• An increased probationary period from 6 to 12 months.

• Increased maximum vacation accrual from 120 to 240 hours.

• New safety policies such as required seat belt use and the prohibiting of smoking in city buildings and vehicles.

• Clarifying the city’s attendance and payroll procedures and holiday pay procedures.

• Employee appeals policies in regard to disciplinary action.

• Jury duty policies and regulations concerning the use of city equipment, E-mail, Internet usage and contact with the media.

City Clerk, Nancy Faulkner, stated that she had received only positive comments from the City Council concerning the manual and that there had been no further recommendations for change.