City of Springfield Council Bill 2007-147

On the: Upcoming Council Meeting Agenda:

Council Bill 2007-147:

Originating Department: Police

PURPOSE:

To amend Merit Rule 18.1(a) Entrance Salary Rate on Initial Employment, by allowing the Police Department to implement a lateral hiring program for police officers.

BACKGROUND:

The shortage of police officers here and nation wide has increased the need for a Lateral Transfer Program. The purpose of the program is to attract more qualified police officer candidates and shorten the training program. A lateral hiring program has been developed by the Police Department that would allow a police officer from another city or employees with prior law enforcement experience (with a minimum of 2 years experience and 600 hours of P.O.S.T. police certification to hire on at a beginning salary higher than the minimum rate. Because of prior training and experience, the Lateral Transfer Program consists of a shorter Academy (shortened to 30 days) and Field Training (shortened to 30 days), enabling the employee to be on the street working in a much shorter period of time. To attract recruits, they would be hired at a step higher than step 1.

REMARKS:

The Chief of Police, with the approval of the Director of Human Resources and the City Manager, will determine initial salary rates of lateral transfers based on program criteria.

This bill was submitted by Chief of Police, Lynn Rowe and approved by City Manager, Bob Cumley.