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Commissioner Fergerstrom asked what the issue was regarding HFC rule nine. <br />Deputy Corporation Counsel Noda stated that when a complaint is made, the <br />HFC should consider if they want to have an independent investigation or rely on <br />the Chief’s internal investigation. <br />Commissioner Fergerstrom asked all commissioners if there were any concerns <br />regarding this issue. <br />Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that his concern was that nothing gets <br />eliminated. Sometimes an outside investigator would be appropriate and other <br />times the Chief’s investigation is sufficient. He would like the HFC to have both <br />options. <br />Commissioner Maedo stated that the complaint form does allow these options. <br />The commission needs to prevent any infringement upon the administration’s <br />duties and the firefighter’s contract. The existing form allows the latitude that is <br />needed. She does not understand why this is an issue. <br />Commissioner Brazier stated that the commission should have “flexibility”. <br />Deputy Corporation Counsel Noda stated that she wants the commission to know <br />that this rule is very broad. They may choose to leave it the way it is. She also <br />wanted to bring to light that the commission does not have the budget set up for <br />an independent investigator. If the commission wants her to research this <br />process, she would check with the Police Commission, which does have an <br />independent investigator. <br />Commissioner Maedo clarified that this issue is regarding the HFC’s procedure <br />and not any specific incident. <br />Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that there might come a time that the <br />commission requires an independent investigator. He would not want the <br />commission to be confined to only having an external investigation. <br />Commissioner Ward stated that the HFC is different from the HPC. If an incident <br />occurred and the HFD’s internal investigation was unable to handle it, there <br />would be a police investigation. The HFC should not take responsibility of a <br />private investigation. Any investigation should be left with the Fire Department. <br />Commissioner Fergerstrom commented that the police department would only be <br />involved with criminal investigations. The police department is not responsible <br />for any departmental violations. <br />7 <br /> <br />