Greenway commission reviews police hiring test, applicant turnout and funding for outside services

The Greenway Police Merit Commission on July 10 discussed the department’s upcoming physical agility and written testing for police applicants, expected turnout and a forthcoming request to the city council for funding to pay professional services. Chief of Police James Eisen told the commission that 97 people have applied for the recruitment process and that ‘‘we'll see how many show up. I guess, probably 40 if it holds true in the past.’’ He said the physical agility test is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. at the music center and the written test at 11 a.m. at the training center. Eisen said the department will give applicants a pre-application and that applicants who pass the physical test will receive the full application packet and be allowed to take the written test. ‘‘They they go station to station, and it's the still the academy standards,’’ he said. Eisen also told the commission that he would send Commissioner Wendy Treat the amount needed by email and that the department will need ‘‘an additional appropriation before the end of the year from the council to fund your professional services.’’ He provided a preliminary estimate of ‘‘probably up $3,000.’’ He said the appropriation would require city council approval. Commissioners and the chief also discussed applicant quality in a broader regional context. Eisen and other commissioners said agencies are seeing more applicants with disqualifying criminal histories in the pre-application screening than in the past. In the meeting he said he has observed applicants with felonies and misdemeanors, including resisting law enforcement and thefts, and cautioned that some agencies are making exceptions that could have long-term costs. No formal vote or directive to hire outside services or to file the appropriation request was recorded at the meeting. The chief stated he would send cost details to Treat by email so the commission could pursue council approval.