04/27/1998 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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believed this certification is mandatory according to the rules they must have certification. Mr. Kish explained in two years when the test is offered again he will not meet the age requirements, and this is his last chance. He noted the test date was chosen poorly as it does not allow candidates currently enrolled in the paramedic's course to take the test, yet the date falls before most classes will graduate. Mr. Cummings was sympathetic to the situation and asked Mr. Gareau if anything can be done. Mr. Gareau questioned when the current list will expire and the clerk advised the end of this month or next month. He noted there will always be a class that is graduating two months after the test is given and believed the commission should draw the line somewhere. Mr. Cummings noted for the police officers examination the commission allowed for current students to take the examination, and he questioned how many people are affected by Rule E , section 7d, page 5 of the Rules and Regulations manual. Mr. Kish explained in his class at Cuyahoga Community College, there are 22 students, and the other two classes each have nine students. Mr. Gareau questioned if the advertisement has been posted and the clerk confirmed it was posted last week and we have begun handing out applications today. The test is scheduled for May 28, 1998 and Mr. Kish noted he will graduate June 2, 1998 provided he passes the course. Mr. Gareau advised since the rules have already been set, he did not see any way the commission could* deviate from those rules. Mr. Cummings thanked the law director for his opinion, and agreed the word must implies that certification is mandatory. E. Cummings motioned to turn down Mr. Kish's petition to take the test based on the assumption that he should be receiving a paramedic certificate in June because the handbook itself specifies the certification is mandatory by the word `must" and the commission has no choice in this matter. The motion was seconded by I Thomay and unanimously approved. Mr. Gareau suggested that the commission look into modifying this rule next time the handbook is reviewed which would allow the candidates to take the test, however if they fail the course then they are no longer eligible. Mr. Osterhouse noted his only problem with this proposed change is that there is a limited amount of applications available and this would h' take an application away from someone that already had the required certificate. A) The Police Sergeants Assessment test was held on March 14, 1998. Ohio Association of Chief s of Police administered the examination. The results were revealed at the special meeting of March 23, 1998. The police officers that participated were given written notification of their results and told any protests would have to be submitted by April 2, 1998. Promotions to the rank of Sergeant have been postponed until further notice. On April 1, 1998 the civil service commission received the protest included in their packet. The law department was forwarded a copy of the protest on April 1, 1998. The protest submitted on April 1,1998 was filed by Candidate Ralph C. Hughes. In Mr. Hughes' protest he requests that the "assessment results be deemed unreliable and invalid due to lack of due care, fair and impartial procedures, and yielding the opportunities for undue influence that resulted in inconsistent results and the integrity of the process being lost. The four points Mr. Hughes makes for the basis of his protest are: (1) Comments made by Chief George Ruple in reference to a Officers performance substantiates he engaged in conversation with the assessors thus influencing their scores prior to the results being released (Comment: A particular officer stating during the subordinate counseling that he could not talk to his captain but addressed the subordinates weight problem.); (2) Civil Service Secretary Amy Cornish engaged in point standing conversation with Chief George Ruple prior to the results being released thus giving opportunities for score influencing