(A) Eligibility for recruits.
(1) Each applicant shall be a person of sobriety and integrity and who has been and is an orderly, law-abiding citizen.
(2) He or she must not be under 21 years of age, and a citizen of the United States.
(3) He or she must meet or exceed all physical, mental and psychological standards established by Peace Officer Professional Standards, administered through the Department of Criminal Justice Training.
(4) He or she must possess high school diploma or GED equivalency.
(5) He or she must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle.
(6) He or she has not been convicted of a felony.
(7) He or she is not prohibited by federal or state law from possessing a firearm.
(8) He or she has not been discharged from the armed service under dishonorable conditions.
(9) He or she has not had certification as a peace officer revoked in another state.
(B) Eligibility for promotional exams.
(1) He or she must be a member in good standing with the Department.
(2) He or she must have completed two years as a regular police officer after serving the required probationary period for the next higher grade.
(3) The Mayor and Chief of Police shall establish, at the time of examination, what ranks of officers shall be eligible to compete for promotional positions. This shall always include the immediate lower rank.
(C) Use of experts. The Civil Service Commission and/or appointing authority is hereby authorized to use experts or professionally qualified persons to assist in examining applicants for original appointment and promotional examinations in the Police Department
(D) Procedure for recruit examinations and appointment.
(1) All requirements of eligibility of this section shall be met, as established by the Peace Officer Professional Standard and the Department of Criminal Justice Training.
(2) The Civil Service Commission shall conduct an examination for persons seeking appointment to the Police Department.
(3) All recruits will be required to complete the following:
(a) Completion of application for employment;
(b) A physical agility test (standards set by Peace Officer Professional Standards);
(c) A background investigation, including polygraph examination;
(d) A written test (conducted by the Civil Service Commission);
(e) A psychological test;
(f) A medical examination;
(g) A drug screen test; and
(h) An oral examination.
(4) Upon completion of the written examination, the Civil Service Commission shall establish an a list of recruits that have passed this requirement. A board that is chosen by the Mayor and/or Chief of Police shall then conduct an oral examination. The score of the written examination and the oral examination are then to be averaged and an eligibility list is to be then established. The Civil Service Commission shall certify the list, and the names of the three persons receiving the highest passing grades shall be forwarded to the Mayor.
(5) The Mayor may then make appointments. All appointees are to serve a six-month probationary period.
(E) Procedure for promotional examinations.
(1) The Chief of Police shall recommend to the Mayor and City Council that there is a need for a promotional examination.
(2) The Mayor shall then request the Civil Service Commission to hold examinations which will then be done according to Civil Service Examination procedures.
(3) The city defines
EXAMINATION for the promotional examination process as follows:
(a) Notice of initiation of the process is by administrative memorandum, posted at least 30 days prior to the written test. Also in this memorandum will be a sign-up list for those officers who qualify for a position. This posting will contain a copy of promotional procedures and description of position;
(b) A performance evaluation of each candidate, by immediate supervisor;
(c) A written examination;
(d) An oral examination.
(4) The Civil Service Commission shall administer the written examination and, upon completion, certify to the Mayor the name and score of each candidate receiving a passing grade. A copy of this list shall be posted in the City Clerk-Treasurer’s office for inspection.
(5) The top four candidates receiving the highest scores on the written test shall advance to the oral examination phase.
(6) (a) Each of the four candidates shall be administered an oral examination by a board consisting of the Mayor and Chief of Police. The Mayor may, at his or her discretion, include other qualified professionals to participate in the oral interview.
(b) The oral examinations are to be conducted using uniform questions and scoring scale.
(7) Upon completion of the oral examinations, ,the score from the written examination and oral examination will be averaged together for a final score, creating an eligibility list. The eligibility list is to be certified by the Civil Service Commission, and shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of testing. This eligibility list shall be utilized for all subsequent appointments when vacancies occur within this period of time for similar rank under the same process, as defined.
(8) The Mayor may then make appointment(s) for promotion by executive order, by choosing one of the top three candidates listed on the eligibility list.
(`96 Code, § 36.35) (Ord. 1994-2, passed 2-24-1994; Am. Ord. 2003-14, passed 8-28-2003)