HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/02/2001 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
October 2, 2001
Present:
Marie Cotten, Acting Chairperson
Claude Bjork, Commissioner
Robert McKillop, Commissioner
Clyde Brooks, Commissioner
Richard Eddington, Chief of Police
Kevin Condon, Deputy Police Chief
John Malcolm, Deputy Fire Chief
Buzz Hill, BOFPC Attorney
Excused:
Christopher Lenz, Chairman
Meeting was called to order at 5 :25p.m. by Acting Chairperson Marie Cotten.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bjork and seconded by Commissioner McKillop to accept
the minutes of the open meeting of September 4, 2001
Fire Department Change to Rules and Regulations
Buzz Hill presented the proposed changes to the BOFPC Rules and Regulations requiring fire
officer promotional candidates to complete the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Fire
Officer 1 course work to be eligible to participate in the promotional examination (Chapter 4
Section 4). The change would become effective January 1, 2004. The one concern is the
legislation pending and how this would affect the change. Mr. Hill was asked that if the
legislation passed, would the change hold up. He believes the board should go ahead and adopt
it, if the they think it is a good idea. If the legislation gets signed into law and prevents us from
doing it, then we can look at whether the preemption of home rule municipalities that is in the
law currently drafted would hold up. He recommended putting it in and we can always change
it. The changes were explained thoroughly and noted that it would be the same for both fire and
police. The promotional exam would be given and if there is no one qualified, then there is the
option of going back and having the probationary officers in the process and opening it up to
other fire and police from the outside. If there is still no one qualified, then you can set whatever
standard you want for this selection without amending the rules and regulations.
Commissioner Brooks asked when this change would go into effect. After the vote to adopt it,
the change will have to be published in the paper and 10 days after the publication it will go into
effect.
Commissioner Brooks made a motion for the adoption as amended and Commissioner Bjork
seconded it.
Ayes: Cotten, Bjork, Brooks, McKillop
Nays: None
Motion carried.
Other Business - Fire Department
Deputy Fire Chief Malcom reported that he met with Stanard and Associates regarding the
physical ability test to discuss rank and scoring of individuals. He will keep the Board informed
as he gets more information. The test has been put off until they can come up with the scoring
and an application. The Fire Department will try to start the process before January. They are
still without an Administrative Assistant and hope to have one soon.
Police Department Sergeants Reading List
Chief Eddington recommended using the reading list from the MEAS Inc. that was used last time
for the Sergeant's test, but with an addition of the book Community and Policing: How to Get
Started. This book is a more current book and fits the concept the Department is now using.
Chief Eddington would like to have permission, along with the recommendation from the testing
service, to knock out a book that may be redundant in this area.
A motion was made by Commissioner Brooks to add the new book entitled "Community
Policing: How to Get Started to the list and to agree that the Police Chief, along with the testing
service, eliminate a book as necessary. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McKillop.
Ayes: Cotten, Bjork, Mckillop, Brooks
Nays: None
Motion carried
Defuty Chief Condon reported the Department has selected three dates (January 6t\ 13th and
2i ) and would like to know which date is more convenient for the board. He checked with
Chairman Lenz and the testing service and there is no problem with any of the dates. The Chief
is also proposing a mandatory orientation, which is a new addition to the process. The orientation
could be done on a date prior to the test or the day of the test. This would allow the Commission
to address the candidates and the Department can sell themselves as an employer.
After discussion a motion was made by Commissioner McKillop to have both the orientation and
testing on the 13th of January. Commissioner Bjork seconded the motion.
Ayes: Cotten, Bjork, McKillop, Brooks
Nays: None
Motion Carried.
Police Recruiting
Chief Eddington presented a memorandum from Deputy Chief Condon on the selection of
Officers Specht and Evans as recruiters. He informed the board that they would receive the
necessary formal training. IL Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board sent out a manual
on recruiting Fishing in a Shallow Pool: Police Recruitment, which will be incorporated into the
training program. Weare in the process of getting copies for the Commission.
.
Commissioner Brooks asked for comments on Schaumburg's Recruitment Program and if the
Department will have a recruitment design subsequent to training and all the strategies of this
program. Chief Eddington said the training in Schaumburg is sponsored by the Illinois
Association of Chiefs of Police and that they have a wealth of experience in what works nation-
wide. It is not just Mount Prospect that is having this problem. We will have a recruiting flyer
that will be bilingual and be distributed inside the Community. The Police Department is trying
to get enough people in seats to take the test so that the Commission has great latitude in their
selection process.
McKillop asked if the September 11 th incident has stimulated more people to want to be police
officers and fire fighters. Chief Eddington hopes it does.
There was discussion held on how the officers were selected for the recruiting assignment.
There will be three more officers selected. Questions were raised whether the officers volunteer
for the assignment and are they compensated. They are trying to select officers not doing
specialties already.
Other Business
The Police Eligibility List and the expiration date of November 21, 2001 were discussed. A
question was raised on extending the list and also about the last person on the list. It was
recommended that the Chief check into what legal options there are and get back to the board.
Illinois Fire and Police Commission Association
The fall seminar is being held in St. Charles on November 2-4, 2001 and all forms need to be
turned in. There was discussion on who was attending and the sessions they would attend.
November Meeting
The November Meeting will be cancelled and a special meeting would be called if necessary.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:25p.m.
Minutes transcribed by Police Executive Secretary Diane Rhode.
Minutes approved by:
M . e Cotten, Acting Chairperson
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