§ 2-145. Hiring of police officers.

(a)

Hiring of probationary candidates.

(1)

When the city determines to hire probationary candidates for the city police department, the administrative assistant shall utilize the services of a testing and measurement or selection agency, which agency and which test is in compliance with the standards of the State of Connecticut Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POSTC), and with all applicable federal and state laws, and consistent with a job description and the merit system and personnel rules of the city, in order to identify and select qualified candidates.

(2)

The administrative assistant shall cause the position to be advertised in accordance with the provisions of the merit system.

(3)

All applicants who have the minimum qualifications set forth in the job description shall be allowed to participate in the testing process for the position of police officer.

(4)

Applicants must successfully pass each phase of the testing process to be allowed to continue. The testing process shall be as follows:

a.

The "cooper standards" or other physical agility testing recognized by POSTC shall be administered by a qualified source. The candidate must pass this phase to be allowed to continue in the testing process.

b.

A written test shall be administered by an agency in compliance with entry level testing standards as established by the State of Connecticut Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POSTC). The passing grade shall be announced no later than the commencement of the written test. The passing grade must be achieved in order to proceed with the next phase of the testing. The number of applicants that proceed to the oral examination shall be determined by the administrative assistant and the chief of police based upon the number of positions available. The minimum number of applicants that will proceed to the oral examination will be twenty-five (25) (provided there are more than twenty-five (25) qualifying applicants).

c.

An oral examination shall be conducted by a panel that shall comply with state regulations relating to oral interviews of prospective police candidates and the requirements of the merit system.

(5)

To the scores obtained though the written and oral testing, the following additional points shall be added:

a.

For a minimum of two (2) years of military service with honorable discharge: Six (6) points.

b.

For those persons who have an associate's degree: Four (4) points.

c.

For those persons who have a bachelor's degree: Eight (8) points.

Said college degree shall be from an accredited college or university and shall be in a subject area relevant to the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of police officers.

d.

For those persons who have six (6) months or more experience in active law enforcement activity within the previous five (5) years: Two (2) points.

e.

For those persons who have fluency in speaking and writing a second language identified as a language used within the population served by the city police department: Four (4) points.

f.

For those persons who demonstrate local knowledge of the community: One (1) point. Local knowledge shall mean a familiarity with the city, its streets, its population centers, its institutions, and its emergency service response team organization.

(6)

Upon completion of the examination process, the administrative assistant shall create a certified list pursuant to the provisions of the merit system and submit this list to the appointing authority.

(7)

Any appointment made shall be conditional upon the applicant having completed a subsequent background investigation including a polygraph examination, psychological examination, fingerprint check, pre-employment medical and controlled substance examination in accordance with state and city requirements that may be amended from time to time and to the satisfaction of the city.

(8)

Definitions.

Probationary candidate means a police officer who, having satisfied pre-employment requirements, has commenced employment with a law enforcement unit but has not satisfactorily completed the training requirements provided for in section 7-294d of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(b)

Lateral certification or comparative certification applicants.

(1)

Lateral certification applicants and comparative certification. Applicants shall be tested separately from other applicants set forth in section 2-145. The testing process shall include both a written and oral examination that complies with entry level testing requirements of the State of Connecticut Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POSTC) as amended from time to time and with all applicable federal and state laws and which shall be consistent with the merit system and personnel rules of the city. A physical fitness agility exam may be required by the city.

(2)

Any appointment made shall be conditional upon the applicant having completed a subsequent polygraph examination, psychological examination, fingerprint check, background investigation, pre-employment medical, physical agility (if required) and controlled substance examination in accordance with state and city requirements that may be amended from time to time and to the satisfaction of the city.

(3)

Upon completion of the examination process, the administrative assistant shall create a certified list pursuant to the provisions of the merit system and submit this list to the appointing authority.

(4)

Definitions.

Comparative certification means the certification of a candidate for a police officer position, who has served as a police officer in another state or in a law enforcement within the state that is not subject to the statutes and regulations of the police officer standards and training council.

Lateral certification means the certification of a currently certified state police officer to a new position as a police officer with a different law enforcement unit within the state.

(Ord. No. 721, §§ 3—8, 4-9-98; Ord. No. 756, 8-9-01; Ord. No. 876, 2-13-14)