Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Recruitment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plymouth Township board hears police recruitment update; civil‑service list expected by September
Summary
Police leaders told the board their recruitment campaign drew more than 400 applicants but fewer than half attended the written exam; 33 candidates passed the physical agility test and oral boards begin June 15. The department hopes to certify a civil‑service list by early September.
Lieutenant Wagner told the Plymouth Township board that the police department’s recent recruitment drive produced strong interest, with "a successful recruitment campaign generating over 400 applicants," though turnout for the written exam was substantially lower.
The department reported 425 people registered for the written test and 187 showed up to take it. Wagner said the top 50 written scores ranged from roughly 87 to a little over 97. "He made it look effortless," Wagner said of the board solicitor’s role in administering and processing the exam results, praising the support staff and township conditions that aided recruiting.
On May 30 the department held the physical agility test at Colonial Middle School. Thirty‑three candidates passed, 10 failed, three withdrew before the test and four failed to show. The 33 who passed will move on to oral boards scheduled June 15–20; backgrounds and polygraphs will follow for top candidates.
Board members and staff discussed next steps in the civil service process. Mr. Badami, the board solicitor, will combine scores after the oral boards; staff and the solicitor said they are aiming to have a certified civil‑service eligibility list by early September so the department can fill at least one current vacancy. Board members offered to convene an emergency meeting if hiring opportunities arise before the next regular meeting in order to avoid losing candidates.
The board also reviewed the candidate appeal process and a recent on‑the‑spot accommodation decision. Staff said letters were mailed to applicants to preserve appellate rights and that the written‑exam appeal window had run. They reported one candidate asserted a disability with about five minutes left in the test; staff permitted extra time for that candidate and another who was already taking additional time. No appeals had been received as of the meeting. Members discussed possibly accepting timely accommodation requests and then requiring subsequent documentation to verify the need.
The oral boards, backgrounds and polygraphs are the next formal steps; the board signaled it will resume direct involvement once scoring is complete and the list is prepared. If hires are feasible before the next regular meeting, members agreed to act quickly to avoid losing eligible candidates.
