Franklin Park panel approves minutes, sets police entrance exam dates as chiefs outline candidate screening

The Village of Franklin Park Fire & Police Commission approved the Jan. 5 meeting minutes and heard updates Feb. 2 from police and fire leadership about recruiting and candidate screening.

Chief Tom Ferris told the commission he has "been working with Dinorah for the entrance exams and promotional exam," and added that "we had one officer Kyle Parker who was on probation and did not make his training. He resigned." The commission did not record further discussion about Parker's personnel status.

Secretary Dinorah Rangel announced testing dates and locations: "Police entrance exam testing will be on March 28th and April 26th Sergeant testing. Police testing will be held at West Leyden as East Leyden was not available." Rangel identified the March 28 date for entrance exams and April 26 for sergeant promotional testing.

Chief Mark Stewart described next steps for candidates on the eligibility list, saying letters were sent to the top five to inform them the department was not continuing with them, while "the bottom two were informed about the academy in April." Stewart said he would like to begin psychological testing and, if recommended, move forward with medical exams so candidates can "start prior to April and utilize them as paramedics and eliminate some of the overtime." He also said, "Once they are hired I will need to start a new test."

There was no unfinished or new business, and no public comment. Commissioner Irene Herrera moved to approve the Jan. 5 minutes; Commissioner Guillermo Rios seconded and the motion passed. Herrera later moved to adjourn at 6:05 p.m.; Rios seconded and the meeting concluded "with all in favor."