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Commission restores 90-day probation for police promotional appointments
Summary
The civil service commission voted to reduce the probationary period for all police promotional appointments from 180 days back to 90 days after discussion and input from labor representatives and police leadership.
The Lorain Civil Service Commission voted to change the probationary period for promotional appointments in the Police Department from 180 days to 90 days, aligning police promotions with the fire department’s existing practice.
Commissioners said the 180-day period had been adopted in August 2020 at the request of then-Chief McCann amid disciplinary concerns; the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) objected to that change. Presenters reported that the FOP and department leadership subsequently discussed reverting to the prior 90-day period. The commission referenced a letter from the FOP and remarks attributed to police leadership supporting the change.
Commissioners noted that other Ohio departments use probationary periods that vary between three and six months and that management retains the burden of proof when seeking to demote an officer during probation. After discussion, the commission voted to restore the 90-day probation for all promotional appointments in the police department. One commissioner registered opposition on the record after the vote.
The motion passed by voice vote; the record notes the change was intended to align police promotional probation with the fire department’s promotional practice and reflected prior labor-management discussions. The commission asked that the administration and police leadership remain involved in implementing the revised rule.
