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Civil Service Commission reviews police staffing; minutes approved
Summary
The Civil Service Commission approved minutes from May 29 and received an update on police hiring: one new entry-level officer will start later this month, the council approved two additional positions raising authorized headcount to 38, and recruiting events and lateral applicants are underway.
The Civil Service Commission approved the minutes of its May 29 meeting and received a staffing and recruiting update for the police department at its July 10 meeting. Chair Ray Mitchell called the session to order and commissioners voted to accept the minutes as written.
The update, provided by Secretary Julie Kelp, outlined recent hires and recruiting activity and why the staffing changes matter to department capacity. Kelp said, “we just hired an entry level police officer who starts later this month and will go to the academy in August.”
Kelp told commissioners that the department had been operating with two vacancies, and that the city council approved two additional positions for the third quarter, increasing the department's authorized headcount from 36 to 38. "So we have 4 vacancies to fill now," she said, noting recruiting will begin for the newly authorized slots.
Kelp described recent recruiting efforts: the department hosted an on-site testing event with vendor Public Safety Testing, administering the written test in the council chambers and the physical-ability test in Hartford Hall. Commander Thomas attended the event to speak with candidates, Kelp said, and the department plans additional testing events possibly in November and outreach at community events. Kelp said flyers advertising open positions and benefits will be distributed at AquaFest.
On applicant types, Kelp reported two lateral applicants had been referred to the police chief (one of those submitted this morning), one advanced-entry candidate was in process, and the department has “dozens and dozens of entry level candidates at a time.” She additionally told the commission that "Wayne Ackerman is left officially," indicating an employee departure.
There were no motions or votes tied to staffing at the meeting. The only formal action taken was the approval of the May 29 minutes. Cochiar Bridal McManus moved to approve the minutes "as written," and Mitchell seconded; commissioners voted in favor. Chair Mitchell later moved to adjourn; Secretary Kelp seconded and the commission voted to end the meeting.
Commissioners briefly discussed scheduling future meetings. Kelp noted she will be on vacation for the October meeting and suggested the commission could consider cancelling that date, with final decisions to be made at a later meeting.
The staffing update included specific recruitment methods and the number of authorized positions; the commission did not take additional formal action on hiring or set timelines for filling the vacancies during the meeting.
