HUBBARD Test will determine who is police chief

The new police chief would replace Raymond Moffitt, who retired last month.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- The civil service commission will conduct a competitive test at the end of January to determine who will be the city's next police chief.
Safety Director Robert Paterniti said the test was originally set for Dec. 30, but the time was extended to give candidates enough time to study the material.
The test is needed to replace Raymond Moffitt, who served as chief for 17 years, but had been on medical leave until his Nov. 2 retirement.
Kenneth Oyler, a sergeant, has been acting chief since February, when Moffitt went on leave because of a heart ailment.
Only those holding the rank of sergeant are eligible to take the test. Besides Oyler, they are Robert Altier, James Taffe and Martin Kanetsky.
Altier has said he wants to remain a detective rather than chief.
Under state law
State law requires that the commission hold a competitive test within 60 days of the vacancy being created.
Paterniti said the commission extended the requirement because the four eligible to take the test agreed to postpone it, to give them more time to study the material because of Christmas.
Sergeants will be taking the test because the department doesn't have lieutenant or captain ranks.
Historically the candidate who scores the highest on the exam is appointed chief. Paterniti said he would like to see that changed.
Although his proposal won't be in place when determining Moffitt's replacement, Paterniti explained he wants more than the highest test score used exclusively as the criteria.
Paterniti said its similar to a promotion program used by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Candidates for higher ranks who pass the written exam would move on for evaluation by an assessment board.
Other factors
Besides the test score, the board would take into consideration the results of an interview and work accomplishments.
"I think it's a fair way of doing it," Paterniti said of his proposal, which must be approved by the city's civil service commission.
The safety director said his proposal is not an attempt by him to influence who will be named chief.
"I don't have a dog in this fight. We're not trying to 'fix' anything," he asserted.
yovich@vindy.com