Civil Service Commission Minutes - 12/03/2020 MINUTES OF THE FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS'
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
DECEMBER 3, 2020
Present:
Jim Heiman, Chair § Commission Members
Laura Fidelie §
John Buckley §
Christi Klyn, Civil Service Director §
Brian Lester, Human Resources Supervisor §
Julia Vasquez, First Assistant City Attorney §
Manuel Borrego, Police Chief § City Administration
R. W. Smith, Deputy Police Chief §
Jerad Miller, Sgt., WFPD §
Ken Prillaman, Fire Chief §
Donald Hughes, Deputy Fire Chief §
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary §
1. Call to Order
Chairman Heiman called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m.
2. Approval of Minutes (6/24/20)
Laura Fidelie moved for approval of the minutes. Seconded by John Buckley. the motion
carried 3-0.
3. Review and Approval of Amendments to the City of Wichita Falls Police Officers'
physical/ practical ability test as outlined in the Local Civil Service Commission Rules and
Regulations, Section 143.023 "Eligibility for Beginning Position" item 3.b.
SECTION 143.023. ELIGIBILITY FOR BEGINNING POSITION
See Section 143.023, Chapter 143
(3) MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICERS
(b) Successfully complete the physical/practical ability test as prescribed by the Police
Department and approved by the Commission, as found in Attachment 2 to these Rules,
demonstrating the applicant is physically capable of performing the essential job
functions for the position of Police Officer;
Civil Service Commission Minutes December 3. 2020
AI�ACIUP►MENT TO THE WICHITA CAI I S
LOCAL CIVIL SERVIf E RU1 EC.
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Before any test the following shall be given to each applicant:
applicant to continue.
Test (Recommended order) Time or Measurement
One Minute Sit Up 25
300 Meter Run 75.3 seconds
One minute pushup 19
1.5 Mile Run 16:55 minutes
PRACTICAL ABILITY TEST STANDARDS
l. Handgun Trigger Pull Six (6)times using both right and left index finger analysis; Time limit one (1)
nee.
2. Pedal and steering wheel reach in patrol vehicle-(arms extended from steering wheel for airbag
safety) and sight over the dashboard/proper use of mirrors analysis.
3. Ability to Drag/Carry weighted object analysis(120 pounds for 20 yards); time limit one (1) minute.
Commissioner Heiman asked what is proposed to be put in place of this deletion. Civil
Service Director Christi Klyn said l,t. Ginger Gilmore and Sgt. Jerad Miller are responsible for
the testing requirements. A recruitment is due to start in January. and they had some ideas to
share with the Commission.
Lt. Ginger Gilmore said the change would replace push-ups, sit-ups. and the 1.5 mile run
with a row test. The Department of Public Safety tests its troopers and applicants with a row test.
The reason for the proposed change is to lose fewer recruits while not lowering standards.
There are three tests available: The 500 meter. 2,000 meter. and the 4-minute test. They
are in the process of determining which option to propose to Administration.
Chairman Heiman asked if the row test meets current standards. Lt. Gilmore replied
affirmatively, as it measures overall body conditioning and endurance. He then asked if it is used
by other entities in the state. Lt. Gilmore said it is in great use across the state. Ms. Fidelie asked
how long the DPS had been using the test. Lt. Gilmore said approximately 10 years.
Chairman Heiman asked if applicants are failing the current physical fitness testing. Lt.
Gilmore said quite a few applicants are lost, particularly during the 1.5 mile run and the push-ups
testing. The 1.5 mile run is not applicable to the officers' job duties. The sprint test will be
retained.
Civil Service Commission Minutes December 3,2020 3
Chairman Heiman asked if this is the preliminary testing, with more to come further in
the Academy. Lt. Gilmore said there is a physical fitness test at the end of the Academy.
Ms. Fidelie moved to approve the desired amendments to the City of Wichita Falls Police
Officers' physical/practical ahility test as outlined in the local Civil Service Commission Rules
and Regulations. Section 143.023 (3)(b). Seconded by N1r. Buckley. the motion carried 3-0.
Deputy City Attorney Julia Vasquez said it would be typical to replace in the rules
reference to the current testing with specifics on the new form of testing at the same time. In this
case, however, the new testing has to he verified within the department in order to withstand
[FOC scrutim. There is insufficient time to do this before the new candidates begin the January
Academy. The only requirement under the rules (Section 143.022) is that the physical fitness test
be `appropriate.' There is no requirement that the testing be incorporated, although the City will
do so at a later date.
4. Report from Police Chief
Chief Borrego thanked the Commission for taking the time to meet today. It was
extremely important to get this amendment passed. This will give the department more
opportunity to get more applicants past the physical fitness testing. He added that these particular
tests being replaced were unfair to female applicants.
The current Academy has finished its academic and field training. It appears there will be
five who will make it through the entire process. The department has seven vacancies. Three
more officers are leaving by the end of the year, and the department could lose another 5-10
officers before those applicants graduate.
Chairman Heiman asked if officers ever transfer here from other departments. and if so,
are they accepted as experienced officers or do they LIo through the Academy. Chief BorreLlo said
they have done lateral academies in the past. The department has yet to figure out how to split
the academy to get the laterals through faster. It is rare to have a lateral; most applicants are
wanting to become a police officer for the first time.
5. Report from Fire Chief
Chief Prillaman thanked the Commission for their service. He stated that the 68th Fire
Academy is now in process and will graduate in May; the 67th Academy graduated in March.
The Department has nine openings, and there are 10 recruits in the current Academy. However,
the Department is facing a significant potential wave of retirements, including officers, in August
2021 due to a change in the pension system. The Academy won't graduate enough to cover those
vacancies, so applications will be open after the first of the year. He hopes to do a second
Academy to graduate seven or eight more candidates.
The Department has been resilient through this challenging year. Staff is working
diligently to keep everything clean. Six members are off work at present as a result of Covid-
Civil Service Commission Minutes December 3, 2020 4
related events. Due to minimum staffing requirements, this creates a challenge and expense for
the Department.
6. Adjourn
Ms. Fidelie moved for adjournment. Seconded by Mr. Buckley, the meeting adjourned at
10:22 a.m.
VJ. Peter Heiman, Chairman