Council approves ordinance to allow certain police hires without civil-service competition; members ask civil-service solicitor for input

Scranton City Council approved reading by title of an ordinance that would permit entry-level employment in the police department without competition under specified conditions, and council members asked for formal input from the civil service commissionsolicitor before further action. The ordinance (filed as Council File No. 95 2025) was read by title at the meeting and the council voted in favor of passage of the reading by title. Council discussion noted the item appeared on the civil service commission's September agenda, and a council member asked that the commission's solicitor be contacted for an opinion. Council members said the ordinance is intended to provide a tool for filling entry-level and lateral positions, emphasize candidates who already hold Act 120 certification, and make hiring for trained lateral transfers more transparent in ordinance form. One council member described it as a way to facilitate lateral moves and to increase staffing while maintaining requirements for training and clearances. Distinguishing discussion from decision: the council's action tonight was to pass reading by title; it did not finalize permanent adoption or implementation language. Members explicitly requested the civil service commission solicitor review the measure. The transcript and committee notes also record that council staff provided operational details: officers hired under the provision must have completed Act 120 certification and out-of-state officers would need to complete required Pennsylvania sections; higher-rank transfers would receive pay commensurate with experience. Next steps: the council referred the item for further procedure consistent with the civil service commission review and committee follow-up; any final adoption, policy changes or hiring under the ordinance would follow after required administrative and legal review. Ending: the measure passed its reading by title by voice vote; council members emphasized staff follow-up to confirm consistency with civil-service rules and certification requirements.