PROMOTIONS 5.3B
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: PROMOTIONS
GENERAL ORDER: 5.3B
EFFECTIVE: January 1, 2004
REVISES: G.O. 5.3A
PAGES: 4
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. GENERAL
II. ELIGIBILITY
III. WRITTEN EXAMINATION
IV. REVIEW BOARD
V. COMPOSITE SCORES
VI. ELIGIBILITY LIST
VII. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
To establish guidelines for promotion of members of the Tequesta Police Department.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all Police Department members.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Police Department to ensure a fair and equitable process to promote members of the
agency. Each element of the promotion process will be job-related and nondiscriminatory.
PROCEDURE:
I. GENERAL:
The agency will announce promotional examinations at least forty-five (45) days in advance and
include the areas the examination will cover. The agency will list a description of positions for which the vacancies exist,
a schedule of dates, times, and locations of all elements of the promotion process, a description of the eligibility
requirements, and the process used in selecting members for the vacancy. All reference materials shall be provided to the
member(s) taking the examination for the entire time period between announcement of the examination and the actual
testing. Written bids must be submitted for the position within fourteen (14) days of posting. Bids, which are not
submitted in a timely fashion, may be considered at the sole discretion of the Chief of Police. Those who pass the written
examination then appear before a review board, conducted by Human Resources and comprised of members from other
law enforcement agencies and/or a Village official or community leaders within the Village or neighboring communities.
Promotions will be made as vacancies occur, based on a review of exam and oral board scores, education, experience,
professional training courses, supervisory training, disciplinary and attendance records, and recommendations from
supervisors. All promotions will be based on the member's ability to perform job-related tasks and will not be
discriminatory.
A.
Promotional examinations will be scheduled as determined by the Chief of Police.
B.
The Chief of Police or his designee will be responsible for managing the promotional process.
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G.O. 5.3B
II. ELIGIBILITY:
A member must meet the following requirements to be eligible to take a written examination for
promotion:
A. Law Enforcement Sergeant:
1.
The member must be a police officer holding State of Florida certification;
2.
By the date of examination, have a minimum of three years experience as a full-time certified police officer and;
3.
Have successfully completed a one-year probationary period of service as a police officer with the Tequesta Police
Department immediately prior to the date of the examination unless no there are no successful candidates as a result
of the promotion process. In this case the Chief is authorized to appoint a member who has not completed his
probation period.
B.Detective:
The position of detective is not considered a promotion and will not be based on competitive
examination. The Chief will appoint a member to this position.
C. Command Staff Position:
Appointments to the rank of lieutenant or above are exempt from the promotional
process. A written examination and assessment center review board may be used for the lieutenant selection process.
This will be decided at the sole discretion of the Chief of Police.
D. Verification of Eligibility:
Eligible members must notify the Chief, in writing, of their intent to take a scheduled
promotional examination. The Chief will verify that each candidate meets the longevity requirement based on the date
of the written exam. The Chief will notify each qualified individual in writing.
III. WRITTEN EXAMINATION:
A. Announcement:
At least forty-five (45) days before the written examination, the Chief of Police or his designee
will post the date, time, and location of the exam; and a selected reading list of resource material.
B. Examination Preparation:
An outside source specializing in criminal justice promotional examinations or a
qualified agency member(s) assigned by the Chief will write and administer sergeant’s written examinations.
not
Person(s) who prepare the exam will ensure that the integrity of the exam is compromised.
C. Content:
The exam will consist of at least 50 multiple-choice questions taken from Florida State Statutes, local
ordinances, agency general orders, appropriate supervisory or managerial text, and position specific literature when
appropriate.
D. Scoring:
Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70 percent to pass the written test.
E. Notification of Results:
1.
Each candidate will be assigned an individual identification number to be used on the test score sheet.
2.
The Chief of Police or his designee will post the identification numbers followed by a passed/failed notation within
five weekdays of the examination.
3.
Candidates may review their examination with the test administrator by making an appointment within three
weekdays of the posting of examination results.
F. Challenges:
Candidates challenging the wording, meaning, or scoring of any exam questions must do so during
the exam review. If the test administrator agrees there is merit to the challenge, the question may be eliminated from
scoring. This will affect every examination and result in re-scoring all answer sheets; posting a revised passed/failed
memorandum; and, a revision of the list of successful candidates.
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G.O. 5.3B
IV. REVIEW BOARD:
The Chief of Police or his designee will notify participants of their test results within five-
week days following the written examination. Candidates who pass the examination will be required to appear before a
review board. Each eligible candidate will be informed of the date, time, and location of the review board
.
A. Board Composition:
Each board will consist of, at a minimum, three members from outside law enforcement
agencies. Board members will hold the rank of lieutenant or higher for sergeant oral boards.
B. Board Member Training:
Board members will receive orientation training, which will include instructions
concerning their role in the process, and guidelines to follow during the assessment process and completing the grading
worksheet.
C. Posting Results:
The Chief of Police or his designee will post the results within five weekdays following the
assessment review board process.
D. Challenges:
Review board participants will have two weekdays after the posting to review and challenge the
oral board process. The Chief of Police or his designee will hear all challenges and make adjustments, if justified.
Affected participants will be notified if the challenge process affects or changes any final scores.
V. COMPOSITE SCORES:
Composite promotional scores will be tabulated in the following manner:
A.
Written Examination: 50%
B.
Oral Board Interview: 25%
C.
Staff Evaluation: 25%
D.
College points: one point for every 30 semester hours of college course credits attained.
E.
Seniority points: assigned on the basis of one-half (½) point for each year of continuous uninterrupted, sworn
service.
VI. ELIGIBILITY LIST:
A promotional list will be made containing the names of the three candidates with the
highest composite scores in the promotional process. The list will be posted and continue in effect until the next
promotional list is posted. If the list is depleted, the Chief will make promotions as necessary.
A.
The Chief has sole authority to promote members of the agency. In addition to the composite promotional scores,
the Chief may be guided in his decision by recommendations of supervisors, performance evaluations, and information
in the candidate’s agency files.
B.
The Chief will make his selection from the three highest scores combining written test results, review board
results, staff review, and additional points assessed as described above.
C.
Effective the date of promotion, the member must serve a one year introductory period during which supervisors
will evaluate performance.
1.
The introductory period will not affect the member’s retirement benefits, vacation leave, or sick leave.
2.
At the end of the introductory period, the immediate supervisor will complete a formal written performance report.
3.
During the introductory period, the Chief has the right to rescind a promotion without cause.
VII. NEW SUPERVISOR FIELD TRAINING:
A.
Newly promoted sergeants will complete a field training program consisting of 24-48 hours. The length of this
training will be determined by the Operations Commander. The content of this training will include but is not limited to
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G.O. 5.3A
the following
1. Conducting daily patrol briefings
2. Workers comp. forms for on the job injuries
3. Performance Evaluations
4. Employee grievance process
5. Supervisor Reviews
6. Crash Investigation involving Village vehicles
7. Use of force paper work and investigations
8. Emergency vehicle operations-pursuits
9. Domestic violence, members involved
10. Payroll
11. Death investigation: Sergeant’s responsibility
A newly promoted Sergeant will complete the following schools within the first 12 months of their promotion.
1. Line Supervision (or equivalent) 2. Instructor Techniques
VII. GLOSSARY:
APPOINTMENT - Appointment is the act of placing a member into a position within the Police Department.
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD - A period beginning with a member’s initial appointment, promotion, or disciplinary
demotion, and ending 12 months after that, unless extended by the Chief.
MEMBERS - All personnel appointed by, and under the jurisdiction of the Chief.
INDEXING:
PROMOTIONS
DRAFTED:
DJR/December 12, 2003/Filed: Promo5.3B
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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