Delaware City Civil Service Commission updates police certified list, accepts May meeting summary

The Delaware City Civil Service Commission on June 4, 2025, voted to accept a June 2025 police certified list that added five candidates and removed two, expanding the list to 17 candidates, and also approved the commission's motion summary from its May 7, 2025 meeting.

The certifications were read into the record after roll call. The June update followed a May action that had added two candidates, recorded the rolling off of one candidate after one year, noted three withdrawals and two removals, and extended eligibility lists for police sergeant and police captain from May 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025. The commission's written update states the June changes were made in accordance with Civil Service Commission Rule 5(H)(4), which the record cites as the basis for removal when a department certifies that a candidate was interviewed but will not be offered a position. The June list now contains 17 certified candidates for police hire.

Commissioners moved and approved both items by roll call. Vice Chair Santos moved to accept the May 7 motion summary; the motion was recorded as carrying with Vice Chair Santos and Chairman John Ripka voting yes. The motion to approve the June police certified list was moved by Vice Chair Santos and seconded by Mr. Guill; both Santos and Ripka voted yes and the motion carried.

Commission discussion accompanying the certification emphasized recruitment progress and public-safety staffing. Commissioners and staff noted that roughly 40 candidates have been processed through the certified list in the past 12 months and that new candidates have been added in each of the last seven months, a pace the presenters said has relieved pressure to make emergency hires. Commissioners also discussed broader safety-response initiatives that would dispatch non-police personnel to certain 911 calls. A commissioner referenced recent shootings of law-enforcement officers in Morrow County and Marysville while noting remarks by Chief Moore about officer safety, and said those incidents underscored concern about sending nonpolice responders into some calls. No formal action on the safety-response policy was taken at this meeting.

The commission also acknowledged Chairman John Ripka's retirement; a prepared statement read by staff recounted Ripka's appointment effective Nov. 30, 2016, the start of his chairmanship on Jan. 4, 2017, and roughly eight-and-a-half years of service. Chairman Ripka stated this meeting was his last.

There being no further business, the commission adjourned.