Stow City commission certifies police and lateral lists, schedules fire captain exam

The Stow City Civil Service Commission met to certify multiple eligibility lists related to police hiring and promotions and to approve testing arrangements for an upcoming fire captain promotional exam.

A staff member (Speaker 2) told the commission that a police officer entrance written exam administered on Dec. 11 produced 43 initial passes but that subsequent physical fitness testing reduced the pool, leaving a much shorter certified list. "We gave the exam back in, December, on December 11, and, had 43 people pass," the staff member said, and later explained that about 26 passed the written portion before the fitness test removed additional candidates.

Speaker 3 questioned the short certified list, noting that in prior cycles the lists were longer. Commission members discussed the process and longevity of eligibility lists; Speaker 2 confirmed that those lists are valid for two years. Speaker 1 moved to terminate the police officer entrance list that had been certified on Aug. 7, 2024, and to proceed with certification of the new list; the motion was seconded and no further opposition was recorded in the transcript.

The commission also considered a police sergeant promotional list. Staff reported an assessment process that included a written exam on Dec. 18 administered by Ryan Ramsey & Associates and an assessment center run by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) on Jan. 11. Speaker 2 said the challenge period has passed and recommended certifying the promotional list of five candidates (one who had taken the test removed themselves from consideration). Speaker 1 moved to terminate the prior sergeant promotional list certified on Apr. 5, 2024, and the motion was recorded without contested objection in the transcript.

Commissioners reviewed a lateral transfer eligibility list intended to provide an alternate hiring pool of experienced, state-certified officers. Staff said lateral candidates sometimes have more immediate hireability but may not always have patrol experience; hiring will be determined by the best-qualified applicant for the three current vacancies. Speaker 3 moved to certify the lateral transfer list and Speaker 1 seconded.

On fire promotions, a staff member (Speaker 4) said they plan to administer a fire captain promotional exam "in July or later" to fill upcoming vacancies, including one related to Speaker 4's departure. Speaker 4 recommended using Ramsey for the written component and the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association for the assessment center based on past experience. "We've had very good luck in the past with having Ramsey do the written test, and the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association provide the assessment center," Speaker 4 said. Speaker 3 moved to approve the testing and assessment vendor combination and Speaker 1 seconded.

Commissioners discussed timing and expected candidate turnout; staff estimated the pool could include up to 10 eligible candidates with roughly six expected to take the exam. Commissioners also clarified promotion mechanics for moving names into the top three when a certified candidate is appointed.

No controversial objections or formal challenges to the vendor selections or certification motions are recorded in the transcript. The commission concluded with final questions and adjourned the meeting.