Davenport City approves certification lists for police and several city positions

Davenport City approved certification lists for candidates for multiple entry-level city positions, including four police officer candidates who will attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

The action took place during a regularly scheduled meeting when staff presented the results of recent recruitment and testing cycles across departments, then the commission moved and voted by voice to approve the lists. The vote was recorded as a voice “Aye”; no recorded nays were announced.

City staff described the police recruitment process in detail: 75 applicants applied for the police officer recruitment window, 61 were judged qualified and invited to testing, 14 withdrew, 16 did not schedule tests, 11 scheduled but did not show, and five failed the initial physical-ability test. Fifteen candidates passed the physical test and took the written exam; two scored below 70 percent and were not advanced. Thirteen went to background and polygraph screening; seven failed the background step, leaving six who completed interviews. All six passed the interview; two of those are already state-certified and employed with the Davenport Police Department and had been certified earlier, while four candidates will be certified at today’s meeting and must attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

When asked whether the department planned to hire all four certified candidates, a city HR staff member said, “We are hiring all 4, yes.” The same staff member told the commission the police department remains understaffed by roughly 15 to 16 positions.

Staff also presented certification lists for several other city positions. Highlights and final certified counts reported by staff were:

- Horticultural technician (Parks and Recreation): 18 applicants; 8 qualified and invited to written exam; after no-shows and exam results, two candidates remained on the list to be certified. Minimum qualifications: associate degree plus two years’ related experience, or high school diploma plus four years’ experience; valid driver’s license required on application; CDL permit within 30 days of appointment and Class B CDL (with air-brake endorsement) within 90 days of appointment.

- Integration developer (IT department): 32 applicants; 29 qualified and invited to testing; after withdrawals, scheduling gaps, and exams, three candidates passed interview and background checks and were placed on the certification list. A commissioner asked, “What’s an integration developer?” The commissioner was told they work on coding in the city’s IT department.

- Mechanic (Fleet Division, Public Works): 6 applicants; all qualified and invited to the written exam; after scheduling and one withdrawal, two candidates remained on the certified list. Qualification requirements include a high-school diploma and at least one year of automotive repair experience; CDL requirements and background/physical/certification steps were also described.

- Plant operator 1 (Water Pollution Control Plant, Public Works): 35 applicants; 34 qualified and invited to exam; after scheduling and exam outcomes, 14 candidates remained on the certification list. Staff said candidates must obtain a CDL within six months of hire and complete required certifications and physical/background checks.

- Street heavy maintenance worker (Streets Division, Public Works): 20 applicants; 10 qualified and invited to exam; after withdrawals, no-shows and exam results, one candidate passed all steps and was placed on the certification list. The position requires a high-school diploma or GED and specified field experience; CDL permit and Class B CDL timing requirements mirror other operational positions.

On pay and starting steps for union positions, staff said union employees “start at step 1” of a step-based salary schedule and progress according to the contract and unit. Staff clarified promotional pay depends on bargaining unit and contract language.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the certification lists; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission also approved the meeting agenda and minutes of the previous two meetings earlier in the session by voice vote. The meeting adjourned after a brief recess; during closing remarks a staff member introduced Brittany Sandlin as the city’s new HR assistant, present in the audience.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve certification lists — voice vote “Aye”; outcome: approved (no roll-call tally recorded). Other procedural motions (agenda approval, minutes approval, adjourn) — voice votes; outcomes recorded as approved.