Warren police candidates can advance to next level

Staff report

WARREN

Fifty-one candidates for entry-level Warren police officer scored at least a 70 percent on their written test, the minimum score required to continue to the next level, a test of physical abilities, the Warren Civil Service Commission learned Wednesday.

Sue Burns, commission clerk, said there were minorities and women among those who took the test, but she didn’t know how many nor whether any minorities or women had moved on to the physical test. Burns said 74 people took the test.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Tim Bowers expressed hope that the upcoming promotional test for lieutenant will include more than just a written test.

Bowers said the department has tried to modernize in recent years as a result of its interactions with the U.S. Department of Justice, and he believes giving an assessment will continue that process.

An assessment, usually done by a panel of retired police chiefs, involves interviews with the candidates in which they are asked how they would handle certain situations.

It is more subjective than the written portion of the testing, Bowers said.

Atty. Jim Fredericka, longtime member of the Warren Civil Service Commission, said doing an assessment along with the written test for lieutenant would add about $10,000 to the cost.

As a result, the commission will check with Mayor Doug Franklin and Safety-Service Director Mauro Cantalamessa to determine whether they want to spend the additional money for the assessment.

The Warren Fire Department also needs to give a test for promotion of lieutenants. Fire Chief Ken Nussle said 32 to 34 lower-ranking firefighters are eligible to take the test.

The fire department also needs to give a test soon to hire additional entry-level firefighters because the federal grant that paid for the hiring of additional firefighters last year requires the department to maintain a specific number of firefighters.

With the retirement and resignation of several firefighters recently, the department has vacancies, Nussle said.