08-08-12 Meet and Confer Committee Meeting

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Mr. Alexander wanted to make sure that the LPPOA members understood the steps of the process. Chief reviewed the steps and advised he wants to make sure that the membership understands them and advised that they can be changed, with additions or deletions as needed. The Chief asked if the actual assessment center outline had been shared with the members or it had just been presented verbally by the bargaining team members. At 3:30 p.m. the LPPOA representatives called a caucus. They returned at 3:48 p.m. Matt Novosad advised that in all fairness he does not believe the membership saw the language regarding the Assessment Center and would like for them to see it and take a poll. However, if they agree to Assessment Center,'he would like to know If the City will offer anything other than a multi -year contract. Matt Novosad also asked that if there is an agreement made regarding the implementation of an Assessment Center if an association member can be part of the process and attend. Chief Adcox advised that he would be open to discussing any additional provisions that might make the membership more comfortable with the assessment center process; however, he had concerns with having third parties, with ties to the department and potentially individuals actually participating in the testing process, being allowed to be part of the process. He said these were the same concerns the membership had already expressed as to allow an association representative Into the room when individual candidate testing was taking place might allow the confidential questions to leak out, potentially ending up In the hands of a promotional candidate and giving him or her an unfair advantage. The Chief advised that this would have to be something that was explored further and potentially discussed with any involved consulting firm that would be called in. Chief Adcox advised he would like for the membership to see the whole contract and will distribute that. He also reminded the group that that the LPPOA members would be getting both a 3% salary adjustment as well as a merit increase, which averaged an additional 3%. This totals 6% for most officers, as compared to only 3% for civilian employees. The Chief advised that he felt that this was fair as it was the right thing for the City to do for its officers who work hard every day. By the same token, he advised that the Assessment Center is also the right thing for the officers to do for the department and the city. Chris Paige asked the Chief if he believed that we have poor supervisors now, as they were promoted under the current testing practice. Chief Adcox answered no, but that we are talking about our future leaders, not the past or current leaders within the department. Matt Novosad advised that the Chief is very knowledgeable about assessment centers, leaving members to question why it is being pushed and the overall idea is, that there has to be another reason. Mr. Alexander advised that it is right and the best thing for the City. Chief Adcox advised that he inquired about costs to explain the process and was advised by one of the area consulting firms, Bannon and Associates, that they would come in an provide a general orientation relating to assessment center processes to our officers for a relatively small