Testing cuts many from list of police tryouts

WARREN -- An initial list of 110 police officer hopefuls has been whittled by the civil service process.
Seventy-seven people passed a written test, qualifying to take the agility test.
Of the 38 people who were scheduled to take the agility test at 9 a.m. last Saturday, only 33 showed up and 19 passed.
Of 39 people scheduled to take the test later that day, 34 showed up and again, 19 passed.
Civil Service Commission secretary Jodi Fridley said the commission voted Wednesday to allow five people who didn't show up to take the agility test to take it at 10 a.m. Dec. 15.
Those people had doctor's excuses for injuries or illnesses.
From here, candidates will be given background checks and physical and psychological screenings before new officers are hired.
Background: The city committed to returning police and fire staffing to 1999 levels when voters approved a 0.5 percent income tax increase in May.
Some police officers, firefighters and other city employees were laid off in 2000 after budget cuts. Some returned after the tax passed; others found employment elsewhere.
City council has been discussing the city's proposed 2002 budget, which includes funding for 12 police officers and eight firefighters, only some of those who will be hired to keep the promise of returning staff to 1999 levels.