Lansdale council activates civil service exam process to create police eligibility list after heated debate

Lansdale Borough Council voted 7–2 on July 16 to activate the borough—ivil Service Commission and begin an exam process to create an eligibility list for new candidates for the Lansdale Police Department.

The measure, moved by Vice President Curritio, authorizes the borough to begin the civil service process that Chief Trail described as the formal step required to advertise and prepare an eligibility list that would be certified by civil service. Chief Trail told council the list, once certified, is valid for two years and that the commission—xam and certification process typically takes many months.

The debate focused on timing and budget impact. Chief Trail said the certification process is lengthy and that an active eligibility list gives the borough flexibility to fill vacancies quickly: "once we have a list completed, the actual hiring of an individual can take place over the next 24 months," he said, and noted the list helps the department avoid short-staffing when senior officers retire. The chief also gave an estimated cost of about $5,000 to $6,000 to run the process.

Several council members urged caution. Opponents of immediate activation said the borough—inance director had been on the job only a month and that council should wait for clearer budget information before committing money to an exam process. One council member asked whether delaying activation by a few months would cause harm; Chief Trail replied that delaying would likely reduce the department—rom 29 officers to 28 when a scheduled retirement occurs March 1 and could leave the borough short-handed if multiple departures happen in close succession.

A motion to table the activation was defeated on a voice vote, and the primary motion then passed 7—or, 2 gainst. Council captured the estimated vendor cost for the exam and the civil service timeline in the discussion; the vote does not obligate the borough to hire immediately if the certified list is later produced.

Council and staff framed the choice as balancing fiscal caution with public-safety staffing risks. Supporters said the modest upfront cost is justified by avoiding longer staffing gaps; opponents said the borough should wait for clearer financial projections from the new finance director before launching a multi-month hiring process.

The action directs staff to begin civil service engagement; further steps (advertising the exam, certifying the list) will proceed under the commission process and additional council approvals as needed.