The St. Albans City Council voted to adopt a resolution establishing updated operational policies and procedures for the St. Albans Police Department, including new training and physical-fitness standards.

Council discussion centered on whether current officers would be exempted from the new physical-fitness requirements and who should decide accommodations. Speaker 5 asked that grandfathering be made explicit in the document; Speaker 9 said the Board of Education asked for named-insured status and, speaking for the council, stated the intent to 'grandfather any present employee in.'

The packet lists an effective date in January 2026; council members debated enforcement and oversight. One passage in the proposed policy reads: "In the event of permanent injury documented by medical evidence, precluding officers from performing all or any part of the designated physical fitness evaluation, a task specific alternative test will be offered." Advocates for a clearer review process argued that substitution decisions should not rest with a single individual. Speaker 5 recommended that substitutions or alternative testing be overseen by a committee or include medical documentation to avoid arbitrary decisions.

Council members also noted an existing grievance mechanism: Speaker 9 said employees who believe they have been treated unfairly under the policy may file a grievance with civil service. The council discussed documenting grandfathering in the minutes or in the final, published policy so new hires and incumbents clearly understand the standard that applies.

After discussion, the council took a voice vote to approve the operational policy and procedures for SAPD. Presiding speaker called for 'All in favor of approving the operational policy procedure for SAPD, say aye.' The ayes were recorded and the motion carried.

The ordinance packet and staff minutes will reflect the final language and any documentation of grandfathering; the council did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript.