08-22-12 Meet and Confer Committee Meeting

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Mr. Alexander wanted to clarify that based on the comments he heard, the consensus was not that an assessment center was a "bad concept". Novosad indicated that the majority were uneasy, but not opposed to some type of alternative testing, as it can be done under civil service, and the concession tied to an increase in pay. Mr. Alexander suggested implementing a one year contract and talking about other testing means next year. However, he believes that it is important for this year's one year contract to include language requiring at least a 70 on the civil service exam to pass (before promotional points are added). Chris Paige indicated he did not believe that the 70 point rule will pass the membership vote. Matt Novosad said that the membership will see the 70 point rule as being tied to the assessment center, since it was previously presented with that language regarding an Assessment Center in the draft contract, and that the members had already voted on the assessment center. He felt bringing it back to the membership could be a problem unless it was tied to additional compensation. The Chief discussed how the multi -year contract was tied to an alternative testing system, but that if the idea of a multi -year contract was being taken off the table, it would allow the City and the Association more time to discuss a mutually satisfactory alternative by the next contract negotiation. Chief Adcox then reviewed the liability issues of promoting someone that does not actually pass the promotional instrument that we have put in place to measure whether or not they have the basic knowledge and abilities needed to do a particular job. He would like for the requirement that someone actually pass the test be negotiated now if possible. Chief Adcox advised that the two items he would hope to see in this year's contract, besides appropriate officer pay adjustments, are a 70 percent passing rule for promotional exams and an agreement by the Association to continue working in good faith with the City in order to find a way to improve the police department's promotional system. He reminded the group that these improvements do not have to be an assessment center. There just needs to be something more comprehensive and reliable than a simple multiple choice test. Chief Adcox advised that he wants the officers to be comfortable with whatever changes are ultimately made and, in order to do this, he would like the Association to take the lead in researching and recommending available options over the next year. LPPOA called a caucus at 3:28 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 3:50 p.m. Matt Novosad talked about taking •back the 70% passing rule to the membership, as the membership will feel it is tied to the Assessment Center. He advised that we are at a 3% maximum increase and based on the ten (10) cities we currently use in the market survey our statistics show we are doing a great job in regard to our crime statistics. He inquired that if we are negotiating on a median market, then why are we not striving for more than 3% increase. He feels the membership would have to have at least a 5% increase to even consider the 70% passing; and that the 70% has to have something tied to it.