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Commission sets March testing schedule, reviews applications and tables sergeant-eligibility dispute for rules committee
Summary
The commission confirmed upcoming open-hire physical and written tests at Martinsburg High School, reported five applications submitted so far, and tabled a dispute over a sergeant vacancy eligibility rule for further rules-committee review.
The Berkeley County Deputy Sheriff Civil Service Commission confirmed plans for open-hire testing in March and reviewed applicant counts and logistics during the February meeting.
Staff said five applications have been submitted to date, including two received on the day of the meeting. The commission confirmed the written and physical agility testing was scheduled to take place at Martinsburg High School in March; staff gave the application deadline as the close of business the week after the meeting (specific calendar date not provided in the record). The physical-agility and written tests will require proctors; commissioners agreed to provide at least one proctor and discussed scheduling availability. Staff noted two certified officers from Martinsburg PD and one from Radford, Va., were available to help proctor and that candidates in nearby Maryland had inquired about eligibility.
On open hires for deputy positions, staff reported the sheriff’s office currently listed six openings but said two applicants are undergoing background checks; depending on selections the number of hires could change to five or four.
Commissioners debated a separate personnel-rules issue arising from a longstanding vacancy for the rank of sergeant. That vacancy dated to July 1 of the prior year after a deputy accepted a K-9 assignment, and one corporal (Chronister) who had been eligible then took the test and was offered promotion but declined. Commissioners disagreed about whether a candidate who previously declined a promotion remains eligible for a later test. One commissioner said Chronister “has done nothing at this point in time to make himself ineligible” and another expressed concern about potential manipulation of vacancy dates. The discussion referenced a footnote and a prior judge Wilkes ruling as background. The commission voted to table the sergeant-eligibility question and refer it to the rules committee, which will meet tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. to draft clarifying language.
The commission also recorded a motion to close the social media agenda item (the commission will use county communications staff to post materials rather than operating an independent civil-service social page).
