QUINCY - Several Quincy councilmembers questioned why two police officials were taking police cars to their homes outside the city.

City Administrator Tim Snead explained the decision was made internally to allow Capt. Gene Fretheim and Sgt. Dan Dopps to take their police cars home.

Other officers are required to live within the city limits to be allowed to take their vehicles home.

"I have observed a couple of police cars going out of town to an out-of-town residence," he said.

The decision happened after Fretheim and Chief Richard Ackerman brought the issue to Mayor Jim Hemberry and Snead, he said.

"I think it was deemed that with the sergeant and the captain, their position was that they would have to respond at different times," he said. "We thought it would be advantageous to allow the sergeant and the captain to have take-home cars."

Ackerman echoed Snead, saying the two officers need to be available all of the time, and the hours they work change depending on what the department needs.

Councilmember Jose Saldana said the decision could affect the contract with the police guild. He pointed out the contract only allows police living within the city to take home police vehicles.

"I think when something like that happens we need to know, because I look stupid discussing something that you guys already approved," he said. "I'm going by what it says (in the contract)."

The councilmember said the council already discussed similar issues and didn't agree to them.

"We're talking about (getting rid of the) 20 minute response (time requirement.) If we do away with the 20 minute response, does that mean your sergeants and captains - they can live in Wenatchee or other places  and we have to provide a car for them to come over?" he said. "I don't think it's right. I will say, 'We're not using the taxpayers money the way we're supposed to.'"

Saldana pointed out the captain has a annual salary of about $70,000, and he can afford to drive his own vehicle to work.

Councilmember Scott Lybbert was surprised about the change as well, he said.

"I feel like maybe there shouldn't be that exemption," he said. "Management is setting an example. It gives me a little heartburn to think that we're saying, 'Officers can't take home a car outside of the city limits,' and we're making an exception."

Councilmember Paul Worley added Snead's justification could apply to other city employees.

"What I don't understand is, if (Maintenance Supervisor) Dave (Reynolds) says, 'I'm on call 24 hours a day, I need a take home car.' ... Where does it stop? Pretty soon we'll be furnishing the whole town with cars at $10 a gallon with gas," he said. "We'll be screwed."

Snead said they can review the policy.  

"This was basically internal, and I'll take full responsibility for (the change)," he said.