Civil Service Commission Minutes - 02/07/2012MINUTES OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS'
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
February 7, 2012
Present:
Penny Miller
Carol DuBray
Jim Heiman
Tammy Guerra, Civil Service Director
Dennis Bachman, Police Chief
Manuel Borrego, Deputy Police Chief
Earl Foster, Fire Chief
Julia Vasquez, First Assistant City Attorney
Dave Goodrich, Human Resources Generalist
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER
Commission Members
City Staff
The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. by Commissioner Penny Miller.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (NOVEMBER 29, 2011)
Carol DuBray moved, seconded by Jim Heiman. that the minutes be approved. The
motion carried.
3. APPOINT A BOARD OF THREE PHYSICIANS, PSYCHIATRISTS, OR
PSYCHOLOGISTS, AS APPROPRIATE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 143.022 OF THE TEXAS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
Tammy Guerra informed the Commission that a police officer applicant did not clear the
process on the psychological evaluation and has appealed. The City must now appoint a panel of
three professionals to address this appeal. She contacted several agencies, and the three who have
agreed to serve are the following: Dr. Paul Guthrie, Associate Professor of Psychology at MSU;
Dr. Laura Spiller, Assistant Professor of Psychology at MSU, and Dr. Sarah Kramer, in private
practice in Wichita Falls.
Mr. Heiman asked if they have previously served in such capacity. Ms. Guerra replied
that they have, and have all done a fine job.
Ms. DuBray moved, seconded by Mr. Heiman, that the panel be approved. The
motion unanimously carried.
Civil Service Commission Minutes February 7, 2012 2
4. REPORT FROM FIRE CHIEF
Fire Chief Earl Foster thanked the Commissioners for their service. The Fire Department
currently has no pending retirements. There are six vacancies in the department.
S. REPORT FROM POLICE CHIEF
Police Chief Dennis Bachman provided an update on the Academy. All applicants have
processed through except for one. Depending upon whether he makes it through, there will be 19
starting the Academy in the second week of March.
Mr. Heiman asked if the Department had any vacancies. Chief Bachman said there are 18
vacancies, including one officer on military duty for one year. He would like to over -hire one or
two because the Department will no doubt lose that many through attrition by the time the
Academy is completed. Ms. DuBray asked if the vacancies are filled by officers pulling
overtime. Chief Bachman said that is not usually the case.
Ms. DuBray asked the length of the Academy. Chief Bachman replied the Academy lasts
six months. Afterwards, the officers ride with field training officers on each shift for about a
month. The field training officers evaluate them through the process. It takes nine months from
the time the Academy begins until the officer is ready to be on the street alone.
6. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Penny Miller, Chairman
HA_legal \Personnel \Civil Service Commission\ Minutes \2012\2 .7.2012 \CSC.Minutes.2.7.12.doc