Township Officials Discuss Police Promotion Policy

Washington Township officials discussed a proposed police promotion policy at the council meeting Monday night. They want to put a policy in place that adds objective criteria to the promotion process, creating a fair environment for employees.

Police Director William Cicchetti to discuss making changes to the policy. He returned Monday night, along with Police Chief Randy Ciocco, to go over the proposal.

Currently there are no requirements for personnel to take any type of exams to be eligible for a promotion. In the proposed policy, there is a written test, oral exam and psychological evaluation each candidate must take to be considered for a promotion. The written and oral exams are assigned a weighted percentage in the process and candidates must pass the psychological evaluation to be considered.

There was some discussion about retaining scores for members of the department who were not chosen for a promotion. Officials decided that a member who takes the written and oral exam for a specific position retains the scores for three years. The person would have the option to retake the exams, but the most recent scores would be considered, even if the older score was higher.

Cicchetti said he wants the new procedure to create fairness for all involved. He said he remembers being passed over for a promotion and also jumping over some more senior members of the department. He said neither was a good feeling.

"Prior to having this process, it was sometimes who your buddy was and who was in favor at the time," Cicchetti said. "This is going to do the right thing for everybody."

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said she favored putting a new procedure in place to add objectivity to the process and to also inform members of the police department the criteria for promotions, in case they have higher aspirations.

Township Attorney Kenneth Poller will now review the procedure on the legal side before councilman vote to introduce an ordinance.

Cicchetti said he would begin work on a hiring procedure next, which he expected to have ready to discuss with the governing body in about two months.

The next township council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 3.