Civil Service Commission Minutes - 01/18/2023 MINUTES OF THE FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS'
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
JANUARY 18, 2023
Present:
Jim Heiman, Chair § Commission Members
Laura Fidelie §
John Buckley §
Christi Klyn, Civil Service Director § City Administration/Staff
Julia Vasquez, First Assistant City Attorney §
Manuel Borrego, Police Chief §
Guy Gilmore, Deputy Police Chief §
Scott Vaughn, Deputy Police Chief §
Kenneth Prillaman, Fire Chief §
Donald Hughes, Deputy Fire Chief §
Holly Morgan, HR Generalist §
Donald Miller, Lieutenant § Wichita Falls Police Department
Kevin Folmar, Captain §
Jonathan Lindsey, Lieutenant §
1. Call to Order
Chairman Heiman called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes (11/7/22)
Laura Fidelie moved for approval. Seconded by John Buckley, the motion carried 3-0.
3. Discussion/Presentation of the alternate promotional system in Police Department
for all sworn police officers.
Chief Borrego thanks the commission for their time. Chief Borrego references 143.035
regarding the alternate promotion system. In 2015, there was a petition to the commission to go
from a 100-question test to an alternate promotional system, including Ergometrics and a Peer
Interview panel. This system was designed by a committee headed by Deputy Chief RW Smith.
It was determined that the written exam would be worth 30% of overall score, Ergometrics would
be 60%, and the interview panel would account for 10% of the overall score. The commission
passed the proposal. This has been a beneficial system, but after about seven years, the officers
asked to review the percentages used. The written test will have a higher percentage weighted
toward overall score, and the weight of the Ergometrics score will be reduced. This will hopefully
encourage more officers to test. The written exam takes a lot of time to prepare for, and making it
worth half the total score will make it count.
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LT Donald Miller thanks the commission and presents a slideshow overviewing the
changes Chief Borrego discussed. This slideshow presentation was used to present the information
to the officers. LT Miller gives personal experience of studying for over a year for a written exam,
and felt defeated to have it then count for only 30% of the total score. He believes increasing the
weighted score percentage of the written test will help test takers' motivation. Ergometrics was
still included because of the necessity to measure soft skills in future leadership. No changes were
made to the weighted score percentage for the peer interview, but LT Miller would like to change
the interview to only 5 questions, and to have a scoring range of 0-4. The final change requested
is for the eligibility list to be issued at the end of the total testing process, rather than the end of
the written test alone.
LT Miller asks if the commission has questions. Commissioner Fidelie asks, what was the
makeup of the group who requested the changes. LT Miller explains the committee has nine voting
members, in addition to HR Director Christi Klyn, Deputy Chief Vaughn, LT Miller and LT
Lindsey as nonvoting members. Commissioner Fidelie asks a follow up question of whether there
is concern within the department about the current process. LT Miller explains yes, and that this
concern is exacerbated when testing is going on. Commissioner Fidelie asks how Ergometrics is
scored. LT Miller states that we have to submit it for grading, and it is proprietary information, so
we are only given scores. There is significant data that the process works and is objective. The
committee looked at other processes, but all had subjectivity. HR Director Christi Klyn explains
that Ergometrics is video based and scenario driven.
Commissioner Heiman asks about how long people study for Ergometrics. LT Miller
explains that you cannot study for it: you are who you are. Commissioner Heiman ask about the
length of the written exam. LT Miller says that it is a two hour time window,however it feels much
longer when taking the test. Commissioner Heiman asks if other departments use it. Director Klyn
answers yes. Commissioner Heiman asks about if the written test comes from an outside source.
Director Klyn explains there are several test writers used.
Chief Borrego expresses his support of the alternate promotional system. LT Lindsey states
that during the committee process, the members reach out to the other officers in the department
for input and feedback, and the officers have shown great support for the alternate system. The
process is also supported by the Police Officers Association.
4. 1435.035(h) Police Chief to petition the commission to terminate the current
alternate promotion system.
Chief Borrego petitioned for the commission to terminate.
John Buckley moved for approval. Seconded by Laura Fidelie, the motion carried 3-0.
5. Police Chief requests the commission order the Director to conduct an election
pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 143.035 (c), and to submit the revised
promotional system to all sworn police officers
John Buckley moved for approval. Seconded by Laura Fidelie, the motion carried 3-0.
6. Report from Fire Chief
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Chief Prillaman thanks the commission for their time. There are several updates to give.
First is the current recruit class has completed all their exams and are now eligible to graduate and
to enter the stations. Invited the commissioners to the graduation on the 27th at 6:00 PM. Testing
for the next class has already started. There are currently 19 left in process. 143 applied, 57 tested.
They will start in March and graduate in September. There have been changes made in regards to
this new recruitment. In the past three and half years, 40 firefighters have been hired and 15 have
left. Looking at processes to mitigate this loss, there will implementation of some changes,
including an FTO program similar to what the Police Department has. There will also be more
exposure to the stations prior to graduation, to become familiar with the more non-firefighter
aspect of the job.Not too much responsibility too quickly, 10 shifts as an extra to see peer workers.
Commissioner Heiman asks what percentage of firefighters with over two years experience
are lost. Chief Prillaman says that once they reach that point they very rarely leave; most are within
the first year. Commissioner Heiman asks if the upgrades made to the lockers and such will help
keep newer firefighters here. Chief Prillaman states that the investments being made help the
department feel more valued. Upgrading the fleet, having a second set of gear, and replacing the
lockers are things that help firefighters feel important.
7. Report from Police Chief
Chief Borrego touches on current recruitment for PD. There are 9 people still in process.
Looking at a lateral program. A media company has been hired to help promote the program.
Expecting to have 6 openings by March. Looking to start another process mid-spring. The last
academy is in ghost phase,and will be completely on their own next week. Commissioner Heiman
asks about the city applying for body cams. Chief Borrego confirms that they have been given
permission to apply for the grant, and the body cams will be for all patrol officers.
S. Adjourn
'The meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.mlEoi]
Ji Peter Heiman, Chairman