HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/02/2002 BFPC minutes
Village of Mount Prospect
112 E. Northwest Highway Mount Prospect. Illinois 60056
BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS
Phone
847/870-5656
Ext. 303
MINUTES
April 2, 2002
Present:
Christopher Lenz, Chairperson
Marie Cotten, Secretary
Claude Bjork, Commissioner
Robert McKillop, Commissioner
Richard Eddington, Chief of Police
Kevin Condon, Deputy Police Chief
Michael Figolah, Fire Chief
John Malcolm, Deputy Fire Chief
Excused:
Clyde Brooks, Commissioner
Chairman Christopher Lenz called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Cotten and seconded by Commissioner McKillop to
accept the minutes of the open meeting of February 4,2002.
Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, McKillop
Nays: None
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKillop and seconded by Commissioner Cotten to
accept the minutes of the open meeting of March 4,2002.
Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, McKillop, Bjork
Nays: None
Motion carried.
Police Department Recruiting - Lateral Transfers
This topic was tabled for a future meeting.
Fire Department Update
Chief Figolah reported the Fire Department is still having problems finding women to validate
the test. To validate they need five women already working in a fire department. They
contacted a group called Women in the Fire Service in Minnesota, but have not heard anything
from them recently. Chief Figolah said the Franklin Park Chief is cliecking to see if the women
in his department would. validate the test. Chief Figolah stated he is hesitant to ask the
departments in the area to participate due to the workman's comp issue. Chairman Lenz asked
the cost per day for validation and testing. Cost per day to use the NlPSTA facility is $500.
The Fire Chief was asked if the department was a part ofNlPSTA. The department is not due to
the high cost of $40,000.
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The Fire Department is considering two locations for testing, Prospect High School and a school
in the city, where they might attract more minorities. Malcolm X College was a consideration
because it is the only paramedic school in the city college system. Deputy Chief Condon
suggested checking with other junior colleges in the city and finding out the makeup of those
schools. Chairman Lenz agreed with checking in to other schools. He would like to see the
testing made more accessible to everyone. Chief Eddington pointed out that having a remote site
for testing shows an effort in recruiting minorities. Chief Eddington also made the Board aware
that Commander Rzepecki was the one who came up with the remote site testing concept.
The Commission agreed that they would like to see the physical ability test done before summer.
Police Department Sergeants Test
Late application for sergeants test.
Chief Eddington informed the Board of the events leading up to the late submittal by Officer
Smith. He explained that the merit and efficiency was a collective effort between the
commanders and deputy chiefs. Deputy Chief Condon would be leaving in a few days for the
FBI Academy in Virginia and he was needed for this part of the process to keep on schedule with
the sergeants test. Chief Eddington contacted the Chairman and Officer Smith was left in the
process for the merit and efficiency points. This action allowed the Commission to decide the
issue without delaying the overall process.
After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed that if you set a process that you should follow it. If
you change the process, you open the door for problems.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bjork to remove Officer Smith from the process based on
the fact that he failed to turn in the application on time and seconded by Commissioner Cotten.
Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, McKillop, Bjork
Nays: None
Motion carried.
The Chief will notify Officer Smith tomorrow. Chairman Lenz said it was a tough decision, and
he would be available if Officer Smith wanted to talk to him.
Police Department Other Business
Chief Eddington told the Board that a candidate on the police officer eligibility list had been
interviewed and the department was trying to hire him as a Community Service Officer (CSO).
He had a problem with the polygraph and background. This candidate is number four on our list.
Chairman Lenz wanted to know since he failed our CSO test, should the Commission wait for
his name to come up before removing him fro the police officer eligibility list. The Commission
agreed to not take any action at this time.
Many questions and issues were brought up regarding candidates testing and interviewing, as
well as when to disqualify someone. After much discussion it was decided to ask the BOFPC
Attorney Buzz Hill to attend the next meeting.
Illinois Fire and Police Commission Conference
Chairman Lenz informed the commission that he would not be attending. Claude Bjork will be
attending.
There was no further business for the Board
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. by Commissioner McKillop and
seconded by Commissioner Bjork.
Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, McKillop, Bjork
Nays: None
Motion carried.
Minutes transcribed by Police Executive Secretary Diane Rhode.
Minutes approved by:
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