Vermillion civil service commission authorizes promotional exam as police chief plans to retire

The Vermillion Civil Service Commission voted July 8 to authorize Clancy and Associates to schedule a promotional examination for the position of chief of police as the department prepares for an anticipated upcoming retirement. The commission approved the move unanimously.

The Chair said the commission received a letter from the mayor and the chief of police indicating the chief intends to retire, though “his date hasn't been set in stone yet,” and the commission should prepare a promotional list to ensure continuity of service. The Chair proposed using Clancy and Associates — the vendor the commission has used for prior sergeant and promotional testing — for both the sergeant and the chief’s exams, saying, “We will use Clancy and Associates.”

A commissioner asked whether the commission or candidates would cover testing fees. The Chair said there likely would not be a candidate fee based on past practice but acknowledged uncertainty about any invoice, and another member said staff (Amy) was “expecting a bill” for the test. The commission’s motion therefore included authority for the city to pay Clancy and Associates for testing if payments were required.

The motion to authorize Clancy and Associates and to permit the city to pay any testing-related expenses was seconded and carried without recorded opposition. The commission approved the minutes from its June 23, 2025 meeting earlier in the session and then adjourned.

The commission did not set a retirement date for the chief during the meeting and did not provide further details on timing for the promotional exam schedule; those details were left to staff and the testing vendor.