WARREN Official: Hiring can't be rushed

The city has already taken steps to hire six new officers.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Fred Harris wants to set the public straight.
When citizens complain that no police officers and firefighters have been hired since a 0.5 percent income tax increase passed last May, Harris counters that it's not going to happen overnight.
The safety service director told city council earlier this week the city must follow a number of steps but is on its way to hiring 12 police officers this year and 12 next year.
The city has already taken steps to hire six police officers and set a swearing-in ceremony for 10 a.m. March 28, likely in council chambers.
Harris said the hirings will be made official once the candidates pass drug screens and physicals, which they'll take today and Saturday.
The city is also looking to hire eight firefighters this year, but Harris said he's not sure how many will be hired next year.
The city's financial crunch forced the layoffs of safety service personnel and other employees in 2000. Those people were called back when voters approved the increase on the third try, but by that time, some employees found other jobs.
What went wrong: At one time in the past, the city tried to hire 13 police officers at once and ended up in court because the process was rushed and steps were not followed, Harris said, adding the city has never hired 24 officers in such a short period of time as it plans to do now.
To hire officers, the city first posted a notice in the paper for 30 days, announcing the jobs.
On May 10, 2001, Harris requested a test from the city's Civil Service Commission, which conducted it through an independent agency Oct. 27.
The police department administered a physical agility test Dec. 5 and the personnel department called in candidates Dec. 26 for pictures and to sign releases.
On Dec. 28, the police department began conducting background checks, polygraph exams and credit and criminal background checks.
The commission certified an eligibility list Jan. 3.
A committee must interview 10 candidates for each opening, and after making the top three choices, it can remove any of the first 10 on the list.
Ongoing process: Harris said the personnel department got together its choices for drug screening and a psychological test Thursday.
If those candidates pass, they're offered jobs and sent for a pre-employment physical. They begin work if they pass.
Harris said four people are taking the physicals this week and could be hired soon.
Hiring firefighters: The process to hire firefighters is a little different and Harris said interviews should be next week.
Jeff Younkins, president of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 204, said the process is lengthy but pointed out the tax passed in May and the test for firefighters wasn't given until December.
"That's a long lag time," he said. "We're pushing them to hire."
He said there are 63 firefighters now and the city promised 75 after hiring. There have been a few retirements in the last few months the administration may not be aware of, he noted.
Officials have said an eligibility list is only good for two years. After that, it must build a new one -- a possibility the city might face before all officers and firefighters are hired. The city might also go through the entire process again if not enough candidates qualify for employment.
Police officers have a lot of responsibility and are the only people who can legally take a life, Harris said. "We're not going to rush. We're going to take our time and do it right."
Some citizens have suggested that money from the income tax increase has been used for other purposes even though it was designated for safety personnel.
Harris assures that's not the case.
"The money is there," he said. "The problem is the timing."
davis@vindy.com