Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Hiring Rules topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Athens Civil Service Commission amends police hiring and promotion rules, adds 2,000-meter row to fitness test
Summary
The commission unanimously approved waiving a two-year Corporal requirement for the Sergeant promotional exam, adopted a new physical ability test including a validated 2,000-meter row with formula-based pass times, aligned the age requirement with TCOLE, and corrected a removed education provision.
At its Feb. 28, 2025 special session, the Fire Fighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service Commission of the City of Athens approved several amendments to the Citys Local Civil Service Rules affecting police hiring and promotions.
The Commission voted unanimously to open the Sergeant promotional examination to candidates with less than two years of service in the Corporal rank, waiving the two-year Corporal service requirement. Police Chief Chad Allen told the Commission the previous Sergeant exam results and eligibility list were reviewed and that one Sergeant vacancy currently exists; the change will allow four Corporals who have not yet reached two years in grade to test for the next Sergeant examination.
Separately, the Commission approved modifying Attachment A (the physical ability test) to replace the prior test with a version that includes a validated 2,000-meter rowing event. Chief Allen described the 2,000-meter row as a validated test with multiple data points and explained that candidate pass/fail targets would be calculated using a predetermined formula that incorporates a candidates gender, age, and weight; candidates will be provided the required goal time or chart so they understand how their time is calculated.
The Commission also voted to modify the Citys age requirement for entry-level police officers to be consistent with TCOLE minimum standards (37 Tex. Admin. Code ). Ms. Quigg noted the local rule had required applicants to be 21 years old, which is more restrictive than the administrative code; Chief Allen summarized the steps applicants must complete in the hiring process and provided illustrative scenarios for how the TCOLE standard would apply.
Finally, the Commission approved a correction to an earlier update that had inadvertently removed the education requirement; the Commission reinserted item (g): "Be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an equivalency certificate." All motions on rule changes carried unanimously.
The changes will be incorporated into the City of Athens Local Civil Service Rules and Regulations and posted as provided by the Commission.
