City OKs three police hires
By Susan Frick Carlman scarlman@stmedianetwork.com February 19, 2013 1:22PM
Naperville Police Chief is looking to increase the presence of Naperville police on the streets of the city. Dan Cassidy~Sun-Times Media
Updated: March 23, 2013 6:08AM
The Naperville City Council gave the go-ahead Tuesday night for hiring three police officers.
Police Chief Bob Marshall put in the request under guidelines implemented in 2009 that require Council approval for external hiring.
“These are just replacement officers,” Marshall said. “These are the result of a retirement, a resignation and a promotion of a sergeant.”
Because the new officers will earn starting pay, city staff place the relative savings at $78,159 over the first year.
Although all new participants in the city’s pension plan are hired at the Tier 2 level for public employees, which brings a lower expense for the city, its contract with the Fraternal Order of Police union qualifies them to the Tier 1 insurance benefits.
The three new hires are needed, the chief said, to work regular patrol duties.
“... there’s still a long way before they get into solo patrol,” Marshall said last week.
Those selected to join the force attend a 12-week training program, take a written exam and undergo a physical ability test and interviews as well as a background investigation and physical and psychological exams. They also complete 22 weeks of field training before taking on solo patrol duties. Each remains in probationary status for 18 months from the date they are hired.
The department’s patrol head count has gone down by nearly 13 percent over the past three years. When arrests around the downtown bars on weekend nights increased significantly last year, more officers were assigned to patrol that area, at overtime pay scale.
Marshall said he hopes to have the trio of new officers chosen before the next police academy session begins April 8.
“That’s our goal,” he said.
