Council grants nepotism waiver to hire local police candidate related to department staff

The Snowflake Town Council on May 4 approved a waiver of the town’s nepotism policy so the police department may extend a conditional offer to candidate Ramon Mercer, who is related to current department employees.

Chief Martin presented Mercer as the only applicant who passed the physical fitness test and performed well on the written and oral-board evaluations. Council members expressed concern about setting precedent and potential office-politics issues if family members work together, and discussed safeguards such as separating squad assignments and possibly extending probation.

Councilmember Byron Lewis asked whether family members working together had caused problems in other agencies and urged clarity on how similar future requests would be handled. Chief Martin and staff noted other regional departments have granted waivers and that the town could review its nepotism policy going forward. Brian Richards recommended approving the waiver given current hiring challenges.

Family members addressed the council in support. Amity Toth said, in support of Mercer, “His only blemish is that he is her brother.” Ramon Mercer told the council he grew up in the community and said his family ties motivate him to serve locally.

The council voted to approve the waiver by motion (Perkins; second Johnson). The motion passed unanimously with Councilmember Lynn Johnson excused. The minutes record that staff may issue a conditional offer and consider probationary safeguards; council directed staff to return with any recommended policy changes if needed.

The action authorizes the town to proceed with hiring steps under a waiver to Section 1.4 of the Personnel Policy Manual; specific changes to the nepotism policy were not made at the meeting.