Commission approves hiring firm for sergeant/lieutenant promotions; Lt. Scott Evans named Merit Commission agent; 2025-2 hiring list opened

The City of Lawrence Police Mayor Commission voted by voice vote to seek approval from the Board of Works and Public Safety to hire a qualified professional service company to administer sergeant and lieutenant promotional testing, to designate Lieutenant Scott Evans as the Merit Commission’s agent for the promotion process, and to begin the 2025-2 police hiring process. The actions were taken during a meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at about 6:04 p.m. "Yes, sir. I'd like to request it upon approval from the Board of Works and Public Safety, a qualified professional service company be engaged for the sergeant and lieutenant promotional process," said Lieutenant Scott Evans, professional standards division commander. Commission members moved and seconded the measures and called the question by voice; the record in the meeting shows the proceedings carried by voice vote. Evans also asked that he be designated as the Merit Commission’s agent for the promotion process, saying, "Request that the professional standards division commander, myself, Lieutenant Scott Evans serve as the agent for the Merit Commission during the promotional the promotion process." Commissioners Gail and Ron participated in the votes; two members, Bob and Karen, were absent. The commission also authorized the department to begin the 2025-2 hiring process; the meeting record notes that the mayor had just sworn in four full-time police officers and that the previous eligibility list had been depleted. The motions did not include dollar amounts, specific vendors, or a timeline for the promotional testing; the commission said the procurement is subject to approval by the Board of Works and Public Safety. The meeting record shows no public commenters were present. With no further business, the chair adjourned the meeting at 6:04 p.m.