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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/04/2002 BFPC minutes Village of Mount Prospect 112 E. Northwest Highway Mount Prospèct. Illinois 60056 BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS Phone 847/870-5656 Ext. 303 MINUTES JUNE 4, 2002 Meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. Present: Commissioner Christopher Lenz, Chairman Commissioner Marie Cotten, Secretary Commissioner Claude Bjork Commissioner Clyde Brooks Commissioner Robert McKillop Chief Richard Eddington, Police Department Deputy Chief Ron Richardson, Police Department Deputy Chief John Malcolm, Fire Department Everette Hill, Jr., BOFPC Attorney First item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes of the May 7, 2002 open meeting. Chairman Lenz asked for any comments or questions. Commissioner Brooks made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 7, 2002 open meeting. Commissioner Bjork seconded the motion. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, Brooks, McKillop Nays: None Motion Carried Chairman Lenz requested a change in agenda order so that the Fire Department could go first since the Police Department had more on the agenda. FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE The Fire Department received the report on the physical ability. They have been working with Stanard and Associates to validate the physical ability tests. The problem was finding females currently on the job to validate the test. A female from Franklin Park ran the test. Combining that time and looking at times of candidates that ran the last physical ability test from the Northwest Municipal Conference, a cut off score of 6 minutes and 56 seconds is what they recommend using for the next new hire test. Chairman Lenz asked what the last fail score we had was. . Deputy Chief-Malcolm said it was--6 miulites"J6 seconds. Chairman Lenz asked if Chief Figolah has seen the report, and what the National norm is. The national norm is 7 minutes 20 seconds. The same time the Northwest Municipal Conference uses. Deputy Chief Malcolm would get a copy of the report to Mr. Hill and the Commissioners. He also presented Page 2 of 4 the BOFPC a draft of the new hire test dates. Chairman Lenz asked if anyone had any concerns about the dates and to let him know if anyone is able to attend. He would like to have at least one board member attend. Chairman Lenz asked Mr. Hill his opinion in terms of the pass/fail score and the concern regarding the grading system, if after having all this validation done, can we assume this is acceptable. Mr. Hill said yes. Chairman Lenz asked about the Fire Department staffing. No openings and there are three left on the list. Deputy Chief Malcolm excused himself from the meeting. POLICE DEPARTMENT SERGEANTS TEST A memo was ,sent to all Commissioners regarding the sergeants test. Chief Eddington told the commission MEAS had run the sergeants test, but unfortunately no one passed. The Chief said the BOFPC Attorney suggested the entire process should be started over. Chairman Lenz agreed. Discussion was held regarding MEAS and their response to the recent test given. Chief Eddington said that the test was too detailed. Commissioner Lenz had concerns about MEAS saying they would make the test easier to accommodate the 80% pass/fail. The Chief and Chairman Lenz have agreed that the commissioners after this process is complete should entertain proposals from other firms. Chief Eddington recommended changing the process before starting over. The Chief would like to see the merit and efficiency rating done after the written test for only those who have passed. Discussion was held as to whether or not the process should be changed. Everyone agreed the process is fine as it is. Mr. Hill's concern after reading the memo from MEAS is that if the process were' challenged, we would have to prove every aspect has been validated. He feels the message in the letter is that they think their instrument may not be a valid instrument if the passing score is 80. Commissioner Brooks asked if we require testing firms to prove validation prior to giving the test. Mr. Hill also said we need to get in writing that the test is valid at the 80% level. The Chief was asked if there was an opening at this time for sergeant. Commander Gibson is retiring and Sgt Semkiu is being promoted tonight. There is one opening for sergeant. Chairman Lenz asked for a motion to authorize the Chief of Police to start a new sergeants testing cycle that will mirror the previous testing cycle with the exception of the length of time between the announcement of the test and the actual test date. In addition to instruct the testing company to prepare the test as it was prepared in previous testing cycles with the appropriate adjustments for the new text and with the written validation to the 80% scoring. Motion by Commissioner Bjork and seconded by Commissioner Brooks. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, Brooks, McKillop '~:Nays:;:Nx~n.~ '" , Motion Carried Page 3 of 4 POLICE DEPARTMENT PRE-APPLICATION CONTACT CARD The Chief presented a Pre-Application Contact Card the police department would like to use at recruiting events and other places to gather information for candidates. The Board discussed the card and Chairman Lenz questioned information on the bottom that says this information is required. This information should be clearly stated as voluntary information. Chairman Lenz asked the Police Department to work on the wording. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PLAN The Chief present the packet, which needs to be updated for CALEA and summarizes a commitment on the part of the commission to adhere to Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and testing for candidates. Chairman Lenz commented on the last sentence in the Statement of Policy, it is the responsibility of individual members of the Board, as well as the Board as a whole, to administer this policy. Chairman Lenz said he had never seen this stated that way and asked if it was enough to say this is the responsibility of the Board. Chairman Lenz said if this were the standard he would have no problem with it. Secretary Cotten brought up the question if there is an age limit and if there was anything on handicapped. There was a lengthy discussion on different areas of the plan. The Chief said he would bring it back to the CALEA Manager to see what they actually require. Mr. Hill agreed with the Chief and he said there is a way to state the age and recognize Illinois law; Chairman Lenz asked about the definition of race and background being so detailed and if it was standard. Mr. Hill said it comes from the census bureau. Commissioner Brooks feels we need a recruitment plan in place. The commission should have a system maintained and established to analyze and monitor recruitment process. He feels the commission needs to be more fully aware of their liability and accountability. Chairman Lenz said when he became chairman one of the top priorities was to address the lack of diversity in the departments. He also said that the new administration has developed a recruiting plan and put it into place, but this plan is too new to determine the effectiveness of it. A lengthy discussion was held regarding recruitment and signing of the plan presented to them. The Chief and Deputy Chief left the meeting at 7:00 p.m. for the Village Board Meeting. Mr. Hill explained to the Board what could be done in regards to the approval of the plan if everyone does not agree to sign it Chairman Lenz said there is a need for some adjustments in terms of age and the handicapped issue so the Commissioners would have to defer approval of the plan and vote at another meeting. OTHER BUSINESS The Illinois Fire and Police Commissioner's Association has notified the Board that state law now requires that all agendas and minutes be posted on the Village Website. Commissioner Lenz asked Mr. Hill if we were in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Mr. Hill said we are. Chairman Lenz asked if Mr. Hill sent a letter to Mr. Mazzone saying that we were not going to hold an evidentiary hearing on Smith's complaint. Mr. Hill said he would look in to it. A brief discussion was held regarding the Officer Smith situation. .. Page 4 of 4 The next regularly scheduled meeting is August 6th. With no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Cotten to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Bjork seconded the motion. ~ (V AtlW ðV Ma . e Cotten, Secretary PI t/o V , . Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, Brooks Nays: None Motion Carried Meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Minutes transcribed by Police Executive Secretary Diane Rhode. Minutes approved by: Date: