Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission members on Sept. 20 received an update from staff on police recruiting after a recent officer resignation and on the city’s use of eligible lists for hiring.

The discussion matters because hiring affects public safety staffing and the commission controls certification of eligible lists used to fill classified positions.

Staff reported that officer Matthew Brooks has resigned. Staff described the city’s process for filling patrol vacancies: the commission is processing results from a May entry‑level written exam and a September exam held Sept. 20. On the May exam, staff said 47 people were invited to the physical‑agility test, 20 attended and 16 passed; a subsequent retest had four attendees and one successful candidate. Staff said backgrounds typically take six to eight weeks. About the Sept. 20 exam, staff said, “it was by far the lowest number of candidates we’ve had for an entry level law enforcement exam and that was 37,” and noted that the filing period ran from early July to early September (staff member Carissa).

Staff described timing for academy intake: the city typically runs two academies a year (January and July), so candidates who pass and clear background checks will likely be placed into the next available academy. Staff said the May list may fill a vacancy or two but those hires would be effective only when the next academy starts. Staff also said the department is proceeding with background investigations for candidates who passed earlier tests and that filling the vacancy is not instantaneous.

Commission staff discussed use of county eligible lists in limited circumstances for titles such as senior engineering technician when the county’s minimum qualifications and exam subject matter align with the city’s. Staff said the city requires higher minimum qualifications for police officer appointment — 60 college credits or three years of active military service — whereas Saratoga County’s deputy sheriff minimum may be a high school diploma or equivalency; the difference limits the city’s ability to draw from county lists for law enforcement hires.

Commissioners did not take separate formal votes on recruitment strategy during the meeting; staff will continue processing the eligible lists and background investigations and will report back at future meetings.