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Public Safety Committee discusses sergeant testing

Posted May 07, 2015 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler The Herald Tribune

CHESTER -- The Chester Police, Fire and Public Safety Committee met during regular session on Wednesday and the reestablishment of the sergeant's position generated much discussion.

The Chester City Council approved an ordinance on Monday that reestablishes the position and also authorized the Chester Police Commission to begin testing for that position.

Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey told the council that he is looking to fill two spots from his department's current roster.

"We have a department meeting scheduled for May 15," Coffey told the Public Safety Committee on Wednesday. "On May 20 at 2 p.m., the Police Commission will meet with the (sergeants) topic for discussion.

"On May 26, all eligible full timers and I will discuss testing procedures and I will outline in detail the position.

"By the end of the month, we hope to initiate the first step of the testing process."

Coffey told the city council that the new position will add between 60 and 70 hours of supervision per week and will ensure "consistent supervision" during times he is not on duty.

"What I want to get lined out is what the job will entail and my expectations for it," he said to the committee members.

Prior to the public safety meeting, Coffey issued a news release describing the importance of the sergeant position and labeled it as "one of the most significant additions to the department to date."

"The position of sergeant holds an incredible responsibility," Coffey said in the release. "Whether it is his or her effect on morale, the efficiency of his or her officers, or any number of personal interactions or administrative decisions.

"Any Chester officer interested in pursuing this promotion will undoubtedly be taking a really challenging, but potentially rewarding position."

The Police Commission has the responsibility of scoring the candidates, who will be given a written exam, oral interview and job performance review. According to Coffey, the process is universal among Illinois police departments and well-defined in state statute.

During the meeting, Coffey said the last such testing for the CPD occurred 20 years ago.

Chester EMA Coordinator Charlie Bargman II asked what happens if newer officers receive the highest scores.

Coffey said extra "preference points" may be given to candidates based upon the number of years with the department, military service and other factors.

"The commission may also place a certain value on qualifications and certifications," the release stated. "A list is then established based on those scores. Once the list has been posted, the position(s) may be filled at that time."

After highlighting a potentially upcoming security training initiative for city hall staff, which could also include city council members, Coffey updated the committee on the CPD's search for a new part-time dispatcher.

Coffey said the current Chester residency requirement has limited the number of applicants for the position, which has an application deadline of Tuesday.

"If we don't get much more, we won't have a very large pool of applicants," Coffey said.

Coffey said the residency requirement for part-time officers is within the Chester school district. For full-time officers, they are required to live within a four-mile radius of city hall.

During an update on the COPS (Challenging Ourselves and Promoting Safety) program at Chester Grade School, Coffey said the program's end-of-the-year party is scheduled for May 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chester Skateland.

"I think this will not be a very expensive program to maintain," Coffey said. "So the burden on the community for sponsorships would not be a lot."

With Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert absent, Bargman covered both departments in his report. He said the city's storm siren system is continuing to experience problems.

Bargman later said that the Chester Fire Department hopes to phase in replacements for air packs over the next several years.

"In 2017, we have 11 air packs going out of service," he said. "They run $750 to $800 each, brand new, with a 15-year life expectancy.

"We can phase in a couple each year to avoid the large expense."

The city council approved upgrading - rather than replacing - seven air packs, at a cost of $7,266, to 2002 standards at a meeting last month that will extend the packs' lifespan.

The topic of the CFD's need for a fire engine in the future also surfaced on Wednesday. The department's 1986 pumper has been repaired for the last time and a replacement is estimated to cost in the range of $400,000.

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