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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/2001 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 December 4, 2001 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 :28 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Bjork and seconded by Commissioner McKillop to accept the minutes of the open meeting of October 2, 2001 Ayes: Cotten, Bjork, McKillop Nays: None Abstain: Lenz Motion carried. Police Department Officer Applicant Information Packe~ and Orientation The Board approved of the Officer Applicant Information Packet and that was mailed to them. Deputy Chief Condon told the Board newspaper ads would appear in the papers this weekend. Chief Eddington asked the Commissioners how much time they would like during the Orientation to speak to the applicants. Commissioner Lenz said 5 minutes or less would be sufficient. Police Department Power Test Chief Eddington expressed his concern that there is a body of thought quoted by Mr. Broyer the Counsel to the Board's State Association that if the power test is used as a pass/fail mechanism in the applicant testing we are at risk for litigation, based on different passing scores for males and females and age breakdowns. If the Commission wants to continue to use the power test, the Chief suggested the test not be uSed as pass/fail, but as an assessment of the candidate's abilities. This would also allow the candidates time to practice in order to make the power test. After the conditional offer of employment, a second power test may be held and at that time it becomes a pass/fail. Chairman Lenz stated a member of the Commission should be present during the power test. A motion was made by Robert McKillop to accept the Chiefs recommendation to make the power test as part of the application packet not pass/fail, strictly advisory, but required. A second power test will be given after an offer of employment and subject to pass/fail at that point. Commissioner Cotten seconded the motion. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, McKillop Nays: None Motion carried. Police Department Sergeant Reading List The Chief submitted a reading list to be authorized by the BOFPC and posted in order to allow study time before the sergeants test. A motion was made by Commissioner Cotten to accept the reading list as proposed by the Chief and the BOFPC to post it. Seconded by Commissioner Bjork. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, McKillop Nays: None Motion carried. Other Business Police Department Deputy Chief Condon reported on the recruitment efforts by the two recruit officers. They have developed a flyer and list of possible applicants to mail packets to. Voice mail will be set up with information on testing and officer requirements. Fire Department Update on New Hire Test Chief Figolah reported to the Commission that the application was sent out to the labor attorney and Buzz Hill, Village Attorney for their opinions and recommendations. These changes are being made and will be sent back to the attorneys for their approval. Chief Figolah reported the Department of Justice wants the physical ability test to be a pass/fail. In the past the Fire Department used a graded physical ability test. They went to Stanard and Associates with the current process and asked them where they needed improvement. They did an extensive survey of the current members and provided us with a report. The good news is that the different stations being used all came back saying that they are very job oriented. A few minor changes are needed, but for the most part the validation test currently being used fits the job description in what they actually do. Deputy Chief Malcolm reported on the recommendations made to modify the current test to make sure we are meeting the Department of Justice standards. Chief Figolah advised if everyone agrees, the next step is to validate it with our people. This would be taking two standard deviation points above mean and that becomes our pass/fail. Commissioner Lenz asked if the lack of diversity in our Department would somehow affect the accusation that our times were all too fast for the women since we have all men. We might need '" to get women from other departments to help validate. as they proceed with this process. The Chief will keep the Board informed The Fire Department Eligibility List will expire next month. A motion was made by Commissioner Bjork to extend the current Fire Department List for six months. Commissioner Cotten seconded. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, McKillop Nays: None Motion Carried The Fire Department hopes to do a written test in February. Illinois Fire and Police Commission Association Conference Commissioner Bjork attended the conference. He attended two sessions and felt it was very informative. January Meeting The January meeting will be cancelled. Police Department (continued) Chief Eddington handed out the flyer being passed out in the community and an e-mail from Sergeant Semkiu on the ads placed for the police testing. Language needed to be adjusted on Page 5 to accommodate the change in the physical assessment to pass/fail. A motion was made by Commissioner McKillop to have the Chief make the language change in the packet. Seconded by Commissioner Cotten. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, McKillop Nays: None Motion Carried With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47p.m. Minutes transcribed by Police Executive Secretary Diane Rhode. ~. , ~., /~. -~ M' e co~retary ~/ 5, () :J.... Date: