30. I.C., 36-8-3.5-13, addresses promotions, and I.C., 36-8-3.5-14, address competitive examinations.
(a) Rules governing promotions in rank from the next lower rank shall be:
(1) The score received by the police officer on a written competitive examination shall be considered in rating as forty five percent (45%) of the overall rating.
(2) The score received by a police officer on an oral competitive interview conducted by the Commission shall be considered as fifteen percent (15%) of the overall rating. When considering the percentage of an oral interview, the Commission shall devise the method of computing this percentage and the manner in which it is awarded. If any police officer receives four percent (4%) or less, the Commission members must explain in writing the reasons for the score. Such shall be placed in the officer's file.
(3) The score received by a police officer on a competitive interview conducted by police professionals shall be considered as fifteen percent (15%) of the overall rating. The police professionals conducting this interview shall be individuals of a command level from law enforcement agencies in the central Indiana area as chosen by the Commission. When considering the percentage of said interview, the Commission shall devise the method of computing this percentage and the manner in which it is awarded. If any police officer receives four percent (4%) or less, the interview members must explain in writing the reasons for the score. Such shall be placed in the officer's file.
(4) The performance record of the police officer shall be considered as fifteen percent (15%) of the overall rating. This will include all past performance ratings subsequent to the establishment of the previous eligibility list. All police officers shall receive an equal past performance rating during the establishment of the first eligibility list only, or when the Commission determines that equity and fairness demands it because of a change in the past performance rating system adopted by the Board of Public Works and Safety. New past performance rating systems cannot be adopted more frequently than once every two (2) years.
(5) A police officer's length of continuous service shall be considered at one half percent (1/2%) per year of service up to a maximum of ten percent (10%) of the rating. The appropriate fraction of one half percent (1/2%) will be used for less than any full anniversary year in computing seniority rights. Seniority rights scores will be fixed at the date of the written examination and remain fixed on the promotion list until such time as examinations are administered and a new promotion list is posted. For purposes of this section, continuous service means service which is uninterrupted by periods during which the officer is not considered as being a full time police officer of the Police Department. The Commission will determine the procedures for determining the fractional year of service. The score for service (seniority) will be determined as of the date of the written examination.
(6) For purposes of paragraph (a)(2) and (3) above, the Commission shall determine the questions and the manner in which the interview shall be conducted.
(b) The Commission shall set a date in November of each odd numbered year to give a competitive written examination for each rank and all eligible police officers shall be notified of written materials from which they can study. The Commission may employ instructors, purchase materials and make other expenditures to provide information for applicants for promotion examinations. The Commission shall also select and designate an appropriate person and/or agency or service outside the Police Department to prepare, administer and grade all written examinations conducted hereunder.
(c) The identity of the police officer taking the written examination shall be withheld from the person or persons grading the examination, and all written examinations are confidential. Any oral interview administered pursuant to paragraphs (a)(2) or (3) shall be given and scored prior to the scores on any written exam being disclosed to the Commission.
(d) The examination papers shall not be placed under the control of the Commission nor shall members of the Commission see the examinations until after the tests have been taken, and all oral interviews are completed and scored.
(e) All written examination papers and scores and oral interview scores shall be made part of the permanent file of the officer taking the examination and shall be maintained under the supervision of the Chief. The Commission shall notify each police officer in writing of the scores received on the oral interview and written examination. If any police officer is aggrieved by the score received on a written examination or oral interview, he shall have the right to appeal to the Commission for a review of that score within ten (10) calendar days after notice of the score has been sent. The Commission, after reviewing the score and examination, shall have the authority to affirm or correct the score based upon written findings of its review. If a police officer's score is changed because of erroneous scoring of the written examination, written examinations of all other police officers which were also erroneously scored shall be changed by the Commission, regardless of whether those police officers appealed their scores or not. (Ord. 93-3, § 1, 6-21-93)