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Greenwood commission removes three applicants, authorizes preemptive hiring steps
Summary
The Greenwood Police Merit Commission voted to remove applicants No. 5, 6 and 7 from its eligibility list and approved a motion to begin a new hiring process once the current list is exhausted, with staff planning outreach ahead of a June start date.
Chief of Police James Eichten asked the commission to remove applicants numbered 5, 6 and 7 from the current eligibility list and to permit staff to begin a new hiring process in anticipation of the list’s expiration. “I would like to request the applicants number 5, 6, and 7, be dismissed from the eligibility,” Eichten said. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the request by voice vote.
The chief told the commission that background checks are complete for the outstanding candidates and that several resignations are likely; he proposed beginning a new process in June and suggested June 15 as a target to start posting and accept applications. Commissioners debated whether to wait until the existing list is exhausted or to allow staff to “preemptively start” hiring steps so there is no gap in staffing. A motion authorizing staff to initiate the hiring process once the present eligibility list is exhausted was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Nut graf: The action aims to avoid staffing gaps by allowing personnel staff to prepare a new candidate pool before the current list expires. The commission also approved removal of three specific applicants from the current list, a procedural step the chief said was needed because backgrounds and likely resignations make the existing list untenable.
The chief emphasized that the commission would not post new vacancies until the current list is exhausted, but wanted commissioners to know outreach and preparatory work would start earlier so a hiring timeline in June is realistic. Commissioners asked for clarity about timing and the sequence of steps; the commission directed staff to begin preliminary work and return with firmer dates.
Votes at a glance: Minutes from the prior meeting were accepted by voice vote; the motion to remove applicants No. 5, 6 and 7 passed by voice vote; a motion authorizing preemptive hiring steps (to begin once the eligibility list is exhausted) passed by voice vote. The transcript records voice votes and “aye” responses but does not contain a roll-call tally of individual votes.
What’s next: Commission staff will prepare hiring materials and outreach plans and will notify commissioners of the proposed schedule. The chief said he would begin preparatory steps and return with more concrete dates.
