(a)
Promotions for uniformed Police and Fire shall be from class to class from the lowest to highest. No person shall be eligible to take any promotional examination without having served two years with the City of Lakewood in the highest grade in the next lower class by the date of such examination. This requirement may be waived by the Commission if only one person is eligible, or if only one eligible person is willing to take such examination. In that event, persons having served at least two years with the City of Lakewood in the then next lower grade in the next lower class shall also be eligible to take such examination.
(b) In no case shall any person be considered for the position of Chief unless he or she has served a minimum of ten (10) years with that division in the City of Lakewood.
(c) In no case shall a lateral entry police officer be eligible to test for the position of Sergeant without having served a minimum of six (6) years with the City of Lakewood Division of Police.
(d) At the discretion of the Commission credit for performance ratings of the applicants may be considered in the determination of a final score. In no case, however, shall the performance evaluation constitute more than fifteen percent (15%) of the applicant's final score. Performance evaluations shall be on forms and in a manner prescribed by the Commission.
(e) Applicants, otherwise eligible for promotion, who achieve a passing score on a promotional exam shall receive credit for seniority which shall be determined as follows:
(1) Each of the first four (4) full years of service shall be counted as one-half (.50) a point.
(2) Each full year of the next ten (10) years of service shall be counted as eight-tenths (.80) of a point. Seniority credit shall be calculated based on the date of the first component of the promotional examination and shall only include years of service with the City of Lakewood.
(f) The Commission shall conduct the examinations in accordance with the general rules of the Commission governing examinations.
(g) After the exams are scored, eligible lists shall be created. The Commission shall certify the three applicants standing highest on the list to the appointing authority who shall appoint one of the persons so certified. If there are fewer than three names on an eligible list, the Commission may certify them. The appointing authority may appoint one or reject all. If the appointing authority rejects all such names the eligible list shall thereupon terminate.
(h) If there are fewer than three individuals within the classified service that meet the minimum requirements for promotional exam, the appointing authority may elect to conduct an open, competitive exam according to original appointment procedures to fill said vacancy.
(i) Subsections (a) through (g) hereof are specifically intended to supersede State Code provisions on the general promotion for appointments to a civil service position.
(Ord. 21-2021. Passed 9-7-21.)