College Place civil service panel certifies police eligibility list after testing

The College Place Civil Service Commission voted Thursday to certify an entry-level police officer eligibility list and forward the top three names to the police chief for interviews, after staff reported results of recent testing.

“we had, I think 17 candidates… Of those, 9 passed and are on the eligibility list,” said the staff member (Speaker 2) presenting the results. The presenter also reported that the commission currently has one open position and that, under commission practice, the top three names may be sent to the police chief for interviews.

Commission members asked for context on the vacancy and the testing. Speaker 3 asked whether the opening was a replacement or an addition; the staff member said it was a replacement and noted that an additional position proposed for the 2026 budget had been cut during the budgeting process. On testing, the staff member said, “The new public safety testing created a new test in March,” and confirmed the commission had used that updated written test and could not mix candidates from different testing versions.

A motion to approve the eligibility list and certify the top three names was made by Speaker 1 and seconded; the motion passed with ayes recorded from those present. Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the consent agenda (agenda, Sept. 11 minutes and payroll for September and October) by motion and vote. Commissioner Wiggins was recorded as excused for the meeting.

The meeting had no public comments and concluded at about 12:04 p.m. The police chief is expected to proceed with interviews of the certified candidates; no interview or hiring outcomes were recorded in this meeting.