New plans for police chain of command

Grafton Police Chief Jeff Caponera is in the process of reorganizing his chain of command and reassigning police support specialists to create more efficiency within the department.

During Monday’s Village Finance Committee meeting, Caponera presented an organizational chart and new job descriptions for department staff members.

“I want to develop the most efficient (roles) for my personnel. This is my goal and where I would like to take the organization,” he said.

Caponera, who joined the department in September, proposed eliminating the department’s two captain positions by promoting Capt. Emmett Grissom to assistant chief, which would create a clear line of command.

“I would be lost without (Grissom), and he has been a fantastic employee,” Caponera said. “It’s going to be tough to replace him when he eventually retires.”

The second captain position has been vacant since Joseph Gabrish retired from the department in September.

However, Caponera said he eventually wants to bring back the captain positions because he believes current staff members have enough experience and training to fill those roles.

Caponera also proposed reclassifying support specialists by assigning them to specific duties, including a records administrator and specialist, property and evidence manager, and neighborhood services liaison.

“The remaining job descriptions look to replace the broad police support specialist positions with (new roles) that have specific job duties and functions geared towards efficiency and productivity,” he said, noting that the new job descriptions will help with the recruiting process as the department seeks to fill a few of those positions.

Village administrator Jesse Thyes said there would be no fiscal impact with the reclassification of the positions.

The Finance Committee unanimously recommended that the Village Board adopt the organizational chart and new job descriptions at its meeting on Monday, Feb. 15.