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LWV League of Women Voters of California
Smart Voter
San Joaquin County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
Measure B
Entry Level Police Officer
City of Stockton
Charter Amendment

See Also: Index of all Measures
Information shown below: Summary | Yes/No Meaning | Arguments |

Shall the Charter of the City of Stockton be amended to permit certification of the top ten qualified candidates on the eligible list for the position of entry level Police Officer; for multiple vacancies, certification of the top ten plus two additional candidates, in ranked order, for each additional vacancy; and the appointment of any candidate so certified, regardless of standing on the eligible list?

Summary:
As part of the recruitment process for the position of entry level Police Officer, the City of Stockton conducts tests. The names of the candidates who take the tests are placed on an eligible list, ranked according to their overall test scores. The Charter of the City of Stockton establishes the manner and order by which candidates on such eligible lists are certified and selected for employment.

According to the current Charter language, when the City desires to fill a vacancy in the position of entry level Police Officer, the City Manager may request that the Civil Service Commission of the City of Stockton certify the name and address of a candidate from the entry level Police Officer eligible list. If such a request is made, the Commission is required to certify the names of the three candidates standing highest on the list who are willing to accept appointment. The appointive authority is then free to select any one of the three candidates, irrespective of their relative standing on the list. If more than one vacancy exists, one additional name is certified for each additional vacancy.

This measure would increase the number of candidates to be certified by the Commission from the entry level Police Officer eligible list. Instead of the top three candidates, the Commission would certify the top ten candidates standing highest on the eligible list for a single vacancy. The appointive authority would then choose any one of the ten candidates so certified, without regard to the candidates' relative standing on the list. For multiple vacancies, two additional candidates for each additional vacancy would be certified from those persons standing highest on the list. For example, if three vacancies existed, the first fourteen candidates standing highest on the eligible list would be certified. The appointive authority could select any one of the fourteen candidates to fill any one of the three vacancies.

THE ABOVE STATEMENT IS AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE B. If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the City's Elections Official's Office at (209) 937-8459, and a copy will be mailed to you at no cost.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote of this measure means:
A "yes" vote would increase the number of candidates to be certified by the Commission from the entry level Police Officer eligible list from three to ten. The appointive authority would then choose any one of the ten candidates so certified. For multiple vacancies, two additional candidates for each additional vacancy would be certified from those standing highest on the list.

A NO vote of this measure means:
A "no" vote would keep the number of candidates to be certified by the Commission from the entry level Police Officer eligible list as three. The appointive authority would still be free to select any one of the three, irrespective of their relative standing on the list. If more than one vacancy exists, one additional name is certified for each additional vacancy.

  
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Arguments For Measure B Arguments Against Measure B
Test results are one of many factors that should be considered in hiring a police officer. It should be considered in hiring a police officer. It should not necessarily be the only one. The Stockton Police Department needs to be able to hire the most qualified available persons. Limiting selections solely based on test scores does not guarantee that result. It is most important that the Department have the ability to select persons who have passed the tests and have the necessary background and personal qualities that fulfill the needs of the Department at the time of hiring.

To allow the Department to select persons from within the first ten candidates at the top of the eligibility list who have successfully passed the examination and satisfied other hiring requirements will provide the Department the opportunity to ensure that the most qualified persons are hired to serve the Stockton community.

/s/ Mayor Gary Podesto

/s/ Vice Mayor Gloria Nomura

/s/ Chief Edward J. Chavez

/s/ Chamber CEO Douglass Wilhoit

/s/ Howard L. Seligman

Rebuttal to Arguments For
The proponents of Measure B would like you to believe that a simple test score is the only factor used to hire police officers. This is unfair to the community leaders and dedicated professionals involved for years in our hiring process. Stockton uses a broad-based process for testing police officer candidates measuring all factors important to initially succeed in this crucial profession. A written test measuring the candidate's reading, comprehension and writing skills is followed by an oral interview that tests verbal response and decision making skills. Hopefully, a physical agility test will be re-instituted in the future. The testing process is designed by the City's own personnel experts with input from the Chief of Police. The oral interview panel is approved by the Chief of Police and ensures that the candidates have the necessary background and personal qualities to fulfill the needs of the department and our diverse community. The Civil Service Commission whose members are handpicked by our elected City Council certifies the result of the testing process. Our proof that the current system works is the unequaled quality of our police officers, caring men and women of diverse backgrounds, who have reduced crime and improved the quality of life in our community. We currently hire the best candidates. Measure B won't do that. It permits an appointed Chief of Police to bypass Stockton's proven Civil Service system and choose less qualified candidates without effective oversight. Why give away our proven system for a risky scheme?

STOCKTON POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION /S/ John Staropoli, President

/s/ A.C. "Corky" Mayer, Vice President

Let's examine the current testing procedure for police officer for the City of Stockton. Individuals, regardless of race or gender are given two separate tests. First, a written test of basic reading, reading comprehension, grammar and common sense scenarios. When a candidate successfully passes the written test, that candidate is invited to participate in a structured oral interview. If the candidate successfully passes the oral interview, the written and oral scores are combined. After the scores are combined, the candidate is ranked by his or her score. Thus, you have the "Rule of One." The highest ranked candidate and the most qualified, will receive first consideration for employment as a police officer.

Now, let's examine the "Rule of Ten," the proposed change in the hiring process. The "Rule of Ten" employs the same testing procedure, with one exception. When the top ten candidates are ranked, City of Stockton personnel will have the ability or discretion to choose any candidate within the top ten, as the first the first candidate chosen for employment as a police officer.

Does the current testing procedure work? Absolutely! The current Chief of Police was hired through this system, as well as every sworn officer of the Stockton Police Department.

The citizens of Stockton need to support the current hiring procedure and VOTE NO on Measure B. Are you willing to accept the tenth ranked candidate in the hiring process, before the number one candidate is considered?

If the City of Stockton employs the "Rule of Ten," why have a testing process. Simply list all candidates by date of application and choose whichever applicant you desire. Will you be satisfied in hiring a lesser qualified candidate for the position of police officer?

VOTE NO ON MEASURE B

STOCKTON POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

/s/ A. C. "Corky" Mayer, Vice President

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
Test scores, by themselves do not necessarily determine that one candidate is more qualified than another to be a member of the Stockton Police Department. It is one of many factors that should be considered.

The Chief of Police, responsible for having a first-class department which serves the needs of the community, should have the ability to select those persons to be hired as police officers who meet the needs of the community at the time of hiring. Being limited to test scores only does not provide the flexibility to the police chief to consider other relevant factors in the hiring process.

Measure "B" recognizes the importance of the test score and at the same time, gives discretion in the selection of the best available candidates from those who are within the top ten of eligible and available candidates.

Vote Yes on Measure "B".

/s/ Councilmember Ann Johnston

/s/ Oscar Anzaldo, Businessperson

/s/ Chief Edward J. Chavez

/s/ Howard L. Seligman

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Created: January 25, 2001 02:34
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