Chapter 2.40
CIVIL SERVICE FOR CITY POLICE
Sections:
2.40.010 Civil service commission created.
2.40.020 Appointment – Terms of office.
2.40.030 Organization of the commission.
2.40.040 Police appointments subject to authority of the commission.
2.40.050 Part-time police employees exempt.
2.40.060 Minimum standards for selection.
2.40.070 Compensation – Other requirements.
2.40.010 Civil service commission created.
Pursuant to the authority conferred by Chapter 41.12 RCW, there is created a city civil service commission to exercise the powers and perform the duties established by state law in connection with the selection, appointment and employment of the police of the city. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-016; Ord. 281 § 1, 1973)
2.40.020 Appointment – Terms of office.
There is created for the administration of the civil service for the city police department, a civil service commission composed of three members who shall be appointed by the city manager of the city. The term of office of such civil service commission shall be six years, except that the first three members of the commission shall be appointed for different terms as follows: one to serve for a period of two years, one to serve for a period of four years and one to serve for a period of six years. In the event any civil service commissioner resigns, becomes disqualified or is removed for cause, another commissioner shall be appointed to take his place for the unexpired portion of the term. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-016; Ord. 281 § 2, 1973)
2.40.030 Organization of the commission.
The commission shall organize itself, hold meetings, adopt rules and regulations, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the commission in accordance with state law. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-016; Ord. 281 § 3, 1973)
2.40.040 Police appointments subject to authority of the commission.
All applicants for employment, advancement and/or the filling of a vacancy for a sworn officer position with the police department of the city shall be subject to and shall comply with the civil service regulations adopted by the commission. In the employment, advancement, and the filling of vacancies in the police department the commission shall certify to the appointing power the names of the five persons highest on the eligible list for the available opening. The commission shall require appointees selected for full-time employment to satisfactorily serve one full year on a probationary status and to execute a contract of employment with the city as approved by the city council. The commission shall provide for the immediate termination, with notice to the commission, of any officer serving in a probationary status upon the direction of the chief of police with the consent of the city manager. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-016; Ord. 281 § 4, 1973)
2.40.050 Part-time police employees exempt.
The ordinance codified in this chapter shall not apply to part-time employees of the police department or to the chief and other employees who are exempt officers (RCW 41.12.050). (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-016; Ord. 281 § 5, 1973)
2.40.060 Minimum standards for selection.
The commission shall, as a minimum, adopt the standards listed in this section pertaining to the mental, physical and moral fitness which govern the recruitment and selection of law enforcement personnel:
A. Applicants must be a citizen of the United States;
B. Applicants must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license and be lawfully able to possess and carry a short firearm;
C. Applicants must have graduated from a recognized high school or possess a certificate of equivalency;
D. Applicants shall be of a minimum age of 21 years and be physically qualified;
E. All applicants shall be fingerprinted, and a thorough search shall be made of fingerprints to local, state and federal fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
F. Applicants shall not have been convicted by any state or by the federal government of any crime, the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in a federal or state prison or penitentiary, and shall not have been convicted of any offenses involving moral turpitude, narcotics or drugs;
G. Applicants shall possess good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation;
H. Applicants shall be required to complete and submit a comprehensive application form;
I. An oral interview shall be given to determine if the applicant has any background or inability to communicate which would make him an ineffective law enforcement officer;
J. A thorough physical examination by a licensed physician or surgeon shall be made to ensure that the applicant is free from any physical, emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect the performance of the applicant’s duties as a law enforcement officer;
K. Within six months of the effective date of employment, the recruit (new hire or lateral transfer) shall be required to complete satisfactorily a basic training program prescribed by the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) except when evidence is presented of prior completion of equivalent training or experience and the requirement is waived by the CJTC. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-016; Ord. 2001-014 § 2; Ord. 281 § 6, 1973)
2.40.070 Compensation – Other requirements.
The members of the civil service commission shall serve without compensation, and shall each be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the city. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-016; Ord. 281 § 7, 1973)