157.04 PROMOTION OF POLICE OFFICER.
   (a)   No positions above the rank of police officer shall be filled by original appointment. Vacancies in positions above the rank of police officer shall be, except that of the Chief of Police which may be, filled by promotion from among persons holding positions in a rank lower than the position to be filled.
(ORC 124.44; Ord. 101-82. Passed 11-22-82.)
   (b)   No position above the rank of police officer shall be filled by any person unless he/she has first passed a competitive promotional examination which may be in written form, and/or oral examination. The qualifications for taking he competitive promotional examination for each rank shall be continuous years of se ice immediately preceding the date of the competitive promotional examination as follows: Sergeant - five years continuous service as a police officer unless the officer was hired laterally. Lateral hire candidates must have served a minimum of three continuous years with the Reynoldsburg Division of Police, regardless of the amount of years of previous experience; Lieutenant - three years continuous service as a Sergeant; Captain - one year continuous service as a Lieutenant; Chief - one year continuous service as a Captain, or in the absence of the Captain rank, two years continuous service as a lieutenant. In the event the position of Chief is open to appointment from outside the Reynoldsburg Police Division, the applicants shall be required to have a minimum of ten years' experience, including at least five years in police management; the applicant shall have a college degree or the equivalent to two years of college credit in a job-related field.
(Ord. 48-91. Passed over Mayor's veto 5-13-91.)
   (c)   No competitive promotional examination shall be held unless there are at least two persons eligible to compete. Whenever the Civil Service Commission determines that there are less than two persons holding positions in the rank next lower than the position to be filled, who are eligible and willing to compete, such Commission shall allow the persons holding positions in the then next lower rank who are eligible, to compete with the persons holding positions in the rank lower than the position to be filled. An increase in the salary or other compensation of anyone holding a position in the Police Division, beyond that fixed for the rank in which such position is classified shall be deemed a promotion, except as provided in Ohio R.C. Ch. 124. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the position above the rank of police officer, and there is no eligible list for such rank, the Civil Service Commission may, within ninety days of such vacancy, hold a competitive promotional examination which may consist of a written phase. If a written phase is administered, candidates that achieve a minimum passing grade shall participate in an oral phase. If a written examination is not administered, then all candidates shall participate in the oral phase. After such examination has been held and an eligible list established, the Commission shall forthwith certify to the appointing authority, the names of all persons passing the test in order of their rating. Upon such certifications, the appointing authority shall appoint the top rated person so certified within thirty days from the date of such certifications. If there is a list, the Commission shall, where there is a vacancy, immediately certify the names of all candidates having the highest rating, and the appointing authority shall appoint the toe rated person within thirty days from the date of such certification; beginning at the top of the list, each time a selection is made, it shall be from the top candidate remaining on the list who is willing to accept consideration for the position. No credit for seniority, or any other reason shall be added to an applicant's grade unless the applicant achieves at least the minimum passing grade on the written and/or oral examination.
(Ord. 95-94. Passed 7-25-94; Ord. 76-97. Passed 6-9-97; Ord. 136-01. Passed 11-13-01.)