Lacey police validate new written test; hiring portal to reopen but state $100 million hiring grant unlikely to help

The Lacey Civil Service Commission heard Tuesday that the police department has validated a new written exam and expects to reopen its applicant portal in the coming days, while a proposed $100 million state grant for officer hiring is unlikely to be immediately available.

Chief Robert Almoda, Lacey’s chief of police, told the commission that public safety staff “did indeed validate” a new written test and that “the new written test has been put into service.” He said the department updated job descriptions and expects the hiring portal to reopen either by the end of the week or within the next couple of weeks.

The announcement matters because the department plans to resume oral boards and candidate selection after the portal reopens. “We will be running oral boards for hire at the end of the month,” Human Resources Director and civil service chief examiner Leilani Suway said, noting eligibility sign-offs would transition to the staff member being promoted to the examiner role.

Commissioners asked whether state legislation included in the governor’s budget would provide immediate help. Chief Almoda said the bill and related budget proviso that would create a $100,000,000 grant program for hiring new officers include multiple prerequisites that the department cannot yet meet. “There are numerous stop gaps in that build up that prevents anyone from really actively being able to apply for that grant,” he said. “It’s based on training that hasn’t been developed yet. It’s based on hiring approval process that has yet to be determined. There’s no funding aspect to the bill itself…so the ability for anyone to apply for any part of that grant is a is effectively nil.”

Almoda also told the commission the legislation’s implementation depends on separate rulemaking and legislative work that has not yet occurred; he said the item has been labeled a low legislative priority at present.

The police chief’s report also listed personnel changes: a swearing-in ceremony for Lieutenant Jamie Newcomb and promotions for Sergeant Aaron Crudeta and Corporals Jimmy Williams and John Kobayas. The chief said one trainee was recently separated from training after failing to meet standards and that a department member identified as Mac is slated to retire May 31; the retiree will be recognized at an upcoming city council meeting.

Suway described operational timing: when the portal reopens the department will accept lateral and entry postings and run oral boards. She said the HR office has updated exam plans in the portal and expects the promoted civil service examiner to formally sign eligibility lists after their June 1 promotion.

No formal motion or policy change on hiring was taken at the meeting; the items were reported and discussed during Chief Almoda’s report and in follow-up questions from commissioners.

The commission adjourned after handling the department’s report and other agenda items. The next civil service commission meeting remains scheduled to begin at 12:15 p.m. until the commission formally approves a start-time change later in the year.