The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About02/04/2002 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 February 4, 2002 Present: Christopher Lenz, Chairperson Marie Cotten, Secretary Claude Bjork, Commissioner Robert McKillop, Commissioner Clyde Brooks, Commissioner Richard Eddington, Chief of Police Kevin Condon, Deputy Chief of Police Michael Figolah, Fire Chief John Malcolm, Deputy Fire Chief Buzz Hill, Village Attorney Chairman Christopher Lenz called the meeting to order 5:30 pm. A motion was made by Commissioner Bjork and seconded by Commissioner Cotten to accept the minutes of the open meeting of February 4,2001. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, McKillop, Brooks Nays: None Motion carried. Police Department Written Test Score and Review Chief Eddington would like to see the BOFPC review the way the written test is scored before the next police officer test. There are candidates with an accumulative average of 90 being turned away because they scored a 79 in the grammar section of the test. A scale allowing for one low score in the four categories would possibly help. Deputy Chief Condon said the grammar part of the test is the only section hand scored. Chief Eddington feels we are possibly losing some very qualified candidates. Chairman Lenz suggested that the Chief bring this up prior to the starting the testing process the next time. The Chief will prepare a written proposal for the Board to review. Police Department Review of Power Test Results Distributed Memo From Sgt. Draffone and Results List of Candidates Based on Score Chief Eddington distributed the power test results and pointed out the significant failure rate of 50% for that portion of the test, which is higher than in the past. Chief Eddington wanted the Board to be aware of the results of the power test because it needs to be followed up, either by the Commission or an investigator working on behalf of the Commission the night of the oral interviews. Deputy Chief Condon will have sufficient investigators on duty the evenings the Commission selects for the oral interviews. This will allow the investigators to begin the background process and follow up. Chief Eddington requested direction from the Commission on two questions. What are they doing currently to work on passing the power test if they haven't done so? Also, if they are putting bilingual on their application, are you going to follow up on that, or would you like the investigator to pursue that and verify if the candidate is bilingual. Chairman Lenz asked how they would verify this? A current bilingual service person would have a conversation with the candidate to verify the fact. It was agreed that an investigator would be able to do this. Chairman Lenz said the oral interview would be scheduled based on their written test scores and when the power test is given again, every effort should be made to have a Commissioner present. Deputy Chief Condon explained the list he put together for the power test. The Chief feels there will be time for some candidates to work at the areas they failed in order to pass the test because the department does not anticipate any openings at this time. Police Department Continued Recruiting Efforts The Police Department will continue its recruiting efforts even though we will not be testing for two years. It is important that we send our recruiter to the college job fairs in order to maintain an ongoing presence, not just at the time of testing. Police Department Sergeants Test Chief Eddington discussed the merit and efficiency rating with Buzz Hill. There was a question brought forward by police officers wanting to have their merit and efficiency rating prior to taking the test. Mr. Hill advised that this was not a good idea and the system should be left as it is. The written test and efficiency points are combined to give a final score. Chairman Lenz asked if the points are determined prior to the test? Mr. Hill said it has been both ways. Chairman Lenz would like to see the points determined before anyone knows how they did on the written test so there is no question. The Chief said a time line could be worked our so that information would be in the hands of the Commission prior to the testing. This will have an impact on how the dates are set by the Commission. A minimum of 45 days is needed to go through the process to establish the efficiency ratings. Chief Eddington said he would be relying on the existing staff for their evaluations since he is unfamiliar with the individuals work product, which is what the evaluation of merit and efficiency is be based on. Chief Eddington will check with the testing service on available dates. Chairman Lenz announced he is moving before the end of 2002. He has notified the Mayor and both Chiefs regarding this. The Mayor requested that Chairman Lenz serve as long as possible. Chief Eddington would like to see the chairmanship not turn over until after the sergeants test to maintain some continuity. Page 2 of 4 Chief Eddington went over a suspension order, which he is required to do by state statute. It was agreed that all discipline would be held for review at meetings as they have done in the past. . Chairman Lenz asked Chief Eddington for an update on the lists and status for the sergeants and patrol officers. There is no sergeants list and no sergeant openings. The eligibility list for police officers has expired and there are no openings at this time. The last person on the list was never made a contingent offer of employment because she never went for a medical, psychological or polygraph. To further complicate this she sat for the written examination again and failed to pass it. Chief Eddington and Buzz Hill left for another meeting. Police Department Dates for the Oral Interviews The dates for the oral interviews were set for the week of the 25th were set for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It was decided that Deputy Chief Condon would sit in on the interviews. Other Police Department Business Interview Questions The Commission discussed each interview question to see if changes were necessary. Questions 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10 had minor revisions. Question number 8 was eliminated and replaced with the following: Mount Prospect is a diverse community, how do you think that will affect you in your role as a police officer? Fire Department Update Chief Figolah reported there are no openings in the Fire Department. There are still a few people on the current eligibility list. The Lieutenant Eligibility list still has two candidates on it and there are no anticipated retirements. Copies of the application draft were passed around to the commission. The application has been sent to the attorneys for their final review. Distributed the proposed new hire test schedule. Deputy Chief Ma1colm is working on the validation of physical ability. It is ready to be validated with 100% of the firefighters and lieutenants. This should be completed at the end of this month or beginning of next month. Chairman Lenz asked the Chief to notify the Commission when and where the validation of physical ability would take place so a Commissioner could attend. The Chief asked if the second and third week of May would be a good for the Commission to schedule the oral interviews. Everyone agreed with this time frame. Page 3 of 4 " .. Distributed Fire Department Brochure This Fire Department brochure would be used for recruitment purposes. Distributed the 92nd General Assembly Summary ofHB1689 The Promotional; Bill was introduced by the union in front of the House last week and passed. If the bill continues and is passed by the Senate, it will take some of the power away from the Commission. Efforts are being made to block the bill in the Senate. A motion was made by Commissioner Brooks to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Cotten. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55p.m. Minutes transcribed by Police Executive Secretary Diane Rhode. Minutes approved by: /' v4-~ Christoph¿f . nz, Chairman t( ;)-/tP2- I . Date: if I r7 /'0 8l...... Date: Page 4 of 4