21-2021 - Allow lateral Entry Police Officers

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The Police Chief, in conjunction with the Director of Human Resources and the Public Safety Director, will review resumes and applications to determine which applicants meet the lateral entry criteria. Lateral entry candidates may be required to submit to the following, including but not limited to, a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological and medical evaluation, oral interview and drug screening. Positions filled through these procedures are therefore exempt from competitive examination. Candidates appointed to police officer through these procedures must successfully complete an 18-month probationary period or as otherwise provided by the collective bargaining agreement. Patrol Officer Grade Classification , for lateral entry police officers will be credited based on prior civil service in the position of police officer. Lateral entry police officers shall receive one year credit for prior service for each two full years of prior service for purposes of seniority. In no event shall a lateral entry police officer receive more than three years credit with the City of Lakewood. Employees selected through these procedures shall obtain and retain all other rights attributed to the classified service, following successful completion of the probationary period. (3) If any police officer is hired under the lateral entry process, at least the next three (3) hires must be made from the Civil Service Entry Level Certified Eligible List. (4) If a layoff list exists, then the appointment will be subject to the City Civil Service Rules and Regulations. (5) The Civil Service Commission is authorized to promulgate rules and procedures for the administration of the test and selection methodology of both methods of original appointment not inconsistent with this section. (b) Subsection (a) hereof is specifically intended to supersede State Code for original appointments to patrol officer positions in the Division of Police. Section 3. That Section 144.08 Procedure for Promotions for Uniformed Police and Fire, of the Lakewood Codified Ordinances, currently reading as follows: 144.08 PROCEDURE FOR PROMOTIONS FOR UNIFORMED POLICE AND FIRE. (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 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 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) 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. (d) 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. (e) The Commission shall conduct the examinations in accordance with the general rules of the Commission governing examinations. (f) 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