09-14-81 Civil Service Commission Meeting minutes

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• • Civil Service Meeting September 14, 1981 Page 6 Trainer: We had the latitude under the Act to call for physcial fitness testing on applicants; we have that perogative. Hudgens: .Yes sir, I believe you also have it on existing personnel. Trainer: O.K. Chief, for applicants, what would you prefer to see? Would you prefer to see physical fitness testing for applicants? Freeman: Yes sir. Trainer: ---Just talking about applicants now. Freeman: Yes sir. Trainer: I definitely see where physical agility and stamina is needed by Police Officers in the line of duty, and for applicants. I think it would be very appro- priate for them to have physical endurance tests. Joyner: Chief, do you have any height minimums now or weight minimums or just the physical agility test. Hudgens: I think the courts have struck the height requirements; I think you can have a requirement that thier weight be in proportion to their height. Trainer: Right. Hudgens: --but we currently don't even have that. I have always wondered how Civil Service under the Statute--ages--once their past their 18th birthday can hire them as a police officer when they cut it off at age 35 or 36. Freeman: Before they reach their 36th birthday. Randall: What, Herbie? Hudgens: I have never understood how, legally, they can deny hiring someone who's 37 years old or 38 years old if their in good physical condition you know, and otherwise meet all the requirements. Joyner: Well, you'll probably see that in court. Hudgens: I have never understood how that's been able to stand up, because I know some people 45 years old that can run circles around some people who are 25 years old. --so I've never quite understood that but it's been around for a long time. I don't know if it's ever been challenged. Trainer: The age limit is still in the Act? Hudgens: Uh-huh. Trainer: That's interesting. We do not have any in our employment procedures for the company I work for. We have no limits on age and cannot.