2018 Proposed Rules & RegsCivil Service Commission
Rules and Regulations
Article I: Purpose,Scope,and Definitions
A. Purpose
The purpose of these Rules and Regulations of the Civil Service Commission ("Rules and
Regulations") is to describe the membership, responsibilities, and authority of the Civil Service
Commission (the "Commission"), pursuant to Minnesota State Statute 419.01—.18, and to ensure a
fair and equitable system of human resources management for the City of Golden Valley Police
Department (the "Department"),which includes:
providing fair treatment of all applicants and employees without regard to age, ancestory,
color, creed, disability,familial status,gender, pregnancy,genetic information,sex, marital
status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation (including sexual identity), status
with regard to public assistance, and veteran's status, or other protected class or any non-
merit factor;
providing objective, non-biased evaluation and classification of jobs; and
retaining employees on the basis of the adequacy of their performance, correcting
inadequate performance, and separating employees whose inadequate performance
cannot be corrected.
B. Scope
These Rules and Regulations shall apply to all employees and officers of the Department.Where
overlap or conflict exists between these Rules and Regulations and any labor agreement between
the City of Golden Valley(the "City") and an exclusive representative within the meaning of Minn.
Stat. § 179.71, subd. 3,the terms of the applicable labor agreement shall supersede these Rules
and Regulations. Except as otherwise provided herein or required by law,the Commission
delegates to the City Manager control and supervision over the employment, promotion,discharge,
and suspension of all employees other than sworn Police Officers.
Article II: Membership,Appointments,Terms,Officers, Meetings and Attendance
A. Membership
The Commission shall consist of three members(the "Commissioners")who are citizens of the state
of Minnesota and residents of the City of Golden Valley, and who shall be appointed by the Golden
Valley City Council (the "Council"). No Commissioner shall, at the time of appointment or while
serving, hold any elected office under the City,the United States,the state of Minnesota,or any
public corporation or political division thereof, or employment under the City,or employment
under a police department of any city, other than as a member of a civil service commission for
firefighters or other municipal personnel.
B. Appointments
The Council shall appoint members to the Commission effective May 15Yof each year. Each
Commissioner, before entering duties, shall subscribe and file with the City Clerk an oath for the
faithful discharge of duties.
C. Terms
Members will serve three-year staggered terms. If a vacancy occurs before the end of the term,
interim appointments may be made by the Council.
D. Officers
The Commission shall elect officers at its first meeting in February each year. Each Commissioner
shall serve as president of the Commission during the last year of the Commissioner's term. Officer
positions shall be held for a maximum of one year and shall rotate. If a Commisioner wishes to
vacate her or his position, she or he shall serve in the elected position until a successor is
appointed.
E. Meetings&Attendance
The Commission shall meet the first Monday in February each year.The Commission may also hold
additional meetings throughout the year.A quorum consisting of a simple majority of the
Commissioners is necessary to transact the business of the Commission. Commissioners are
expected to attend all meetings. Members are responsible for notifying the staff liaison if they
cannot attend a meeting. If a quorum cannot be attained,the meeting shall be cancelled.
Article III: Rules
The Commission authorizes the City Manager to administer the policies and procedures necessary to carry
out the intent of these Rules and Regulations.
A. Classification ofJobs
The Commission delegates to the City Manager the responsiblitiy of administering a fair and
objective job classification and record-keeping process, including the responsibility to grade and
classify all employees and officers of the Department. Job classes shall group positions that have
identifical or similar primary duties,and jobs shall be classified based on job-related contributions
and value to the City's function. Records of classification studies,actions, and job descriptions
describing typical duties, responsibilities, and minimum qualifications)will be separately
maintained by the Human Resources department.
B. Creation of Registers
The Commission delegates to the City Manager the responsibility of preparing and maintaining:
i. A service register("Service Register")containing the classes, names, ages, compensation,
period of past employement and such other facts and data with reference to each
employee as the commission may deem useful.
ii. An application register("Application Register")containing the names and addresses, in the
order of the date of application,of all applicants for examination and the offices or
employments they seek. The Commission shall authorize the creation of an Application
Register upon request of the City Manager or her or his designee. No name shall remain on
the Application Register for more than 2 years. When an applicant is found eligible for
service, her or his name shall be removed from the Application Register and transferred to
the Eligible Register.
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iii. An eligible register("Eligible Register"j containing the names,addresses and test scores
expressed as a percentage) of all applicants found eligible for new appointment pending
successful completion of background and psychological examinations. An Eligible Register
will be maintained from the date approved by the Commission until a recommendation
from staff to de-certify the register is approved by the Commission. After the initial
creation of an Eligible Register, no names may be added to the register,except that internal
Community Service Officers who meet the minimum requirements may be added to an
existing Eligible Register at any time.
C. Applications
Applications must be filed in a format proscribed by the City Manager and approved by the
Commission before the closing date set in the announcement.The Commission may require the
candidate to furnish such additional information as it deems necessary regarding the applicant's
health, character and qualifications. Application forms will meet the requirements of relevant
federal and state law(s) or regulation(s).Applications will be retained by the Human Resources
department.All applications must be retained until the applicant's name no longer appears on the
Application Register or the Eligible Register and in compliance with the State of Minnesota Records
Retention Schedule for Minnesota governmental entities.
D. Rejection of Applications
The Commission delegates to the City Manager the authority to reject any application for any
reason, including but not limited to:
Failure to meet minimum application requirements;
Past record of crime, or conduct unbecoming of a police officer;
Giving false information; or
Former dismissal from public or private service because of delingquency or misconduct.
Upon rejection of any application,the applicant's name shall be removed from the Application
Register.
E. Examinations
The Commission delegates to the City Manager the authority to prescribe and administer tests to
determine the relative fitness and ability of applicants for new appointment and for promotion
within the Department to perform the duties of the positions to which they seek appointment.
Examinations may be administered orally, in writing, or in any other form that allows applicants to
demonstrate the relevant skills.
With respect to applications for new appointment,the Commission delegates to the City Manager
the responsibility of providing notice of the date, hour, place and scope of each examination. At a
minimum, such notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City and
posted for 10 days in the City hall and at each station house. The notice shall provide that other
examinations may be administered from time to time throughout the life of the Eligible Register to
applicants meeting the minimum requirements.
F. Eligible Register
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i. Placement of New Candidates on the Eligible Register
All candidates who pass the examinations to the satisfaction of the City Manager, or her or
his designee, shall be placed on the Eligible Register and ranked according to the total
weighted scores,the candidate with the highest qualifying score being first and the
candidate with the lowest qualifying score being last.Veterans shall have added points
during the examination process, if they so elect, in accordance with applicable Minnesota
law. Placement on the Eligible Register is not a guarantee of being hired as a Golden Valley
Police Officer.
ii. Expiration or Termination of Eligibility
The eligibility of a candidate for appointment shall continue for a period of no more than
two years. An applicant may be removed from the Eligible Register before the expiration of
two years for any of the following reasons:
The candidate submits a written request to be removed from the Eligible Register;
The candidate fails to meet or continue to meet any established requirements for
the position, including but not limited to failure to meet licensing, registration,or
medical qualifications;
The Eligible Register is de-certified;
Any other reason which would disqualify a candidate for appointment to the
classification.
G. Selection of Candidates for New Appointments
When a vacancy exists,the City Manager will request that the Commission establish a list of eligible
candidates. If there is an existing Eligible Register from which the City Manager wishes to fill the
vacancy,the City Manager will request certification of the appropriate number of candidates from
that register. Alternatively,the City Manager may request that the Commission approve de-
certification of any existing Eligible Register and create a new Eligible Register.
The Commission shall certify to the City Manager the names of the three highest standing
applicants on the applicable list. The City Manager has complete discretionary judgment and is the
sole authority in selecting one of the candidates certified to fill the opening based upon a
comparison of the candidates'job-relevant qualifications,test scores,and other job-relevant
information available. Prior to making a selection,the City Manager may obtain any additional job-
relevant information deemed necessary to complete the appointment, including recommendations
from the Chief of Police.The City Manager may, in her or his sole discretion, reject any or all
candidates submitted by the Commission. The Commission will be notified of the candidates
selected for appointment and will receive copies of all police officer appointment letters.
H. Promotions
The Commission delegates to the City Manager the responsibility of administering the promotion
process and of promoting existing employees and officers in accordance with Minnesota law. To be
eligible for a promotion, a candidate must file a written application,fulfill the minimum job
requirements, pass the applicable examinations,and fulfill the minimum experience and education
requirements. The Commission delegates to the City Manager the responsibility of reviewing
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candidate applications as well as each candidates' records of efficiency, character, conduct and
seniority to determine if the applicant meets the foregoing requirements and is eligible for
promotion. Examinations for promotion to commander shall be open to anyone meeting the
minimum requirements, based upon written recommendation of the Chief. No prejudice will be
held against an officer not seeking a promotion.
I. Probationary Period
Both new appointments and promotions shall be followed by a probationary period of 12 months.
The probationary period for a newly appointed officer shall begin after satisfactory completion of
the basic peace officer training course. An employee or officer may be discharged at any time
during the probationary period, with or without cause, by the City Manager. A candidate for
promotion who is rejected during the probationary period shall return to his or her former position.
J. Temporary Assignments
In case of emergency,the Commission may be requested to certify names for appointment to a
temporary position. In such cases,the Commission shall certify the names of the three individuals
standing highest on the Eligible Register who are willing to accept such temporary appointment. If
no one on the Eligible Register is willing to accept such temporary employment,the Commission
may certify the name of any other qualified person. No temporary appointment shall continue for a
period of longer than 30 days, nor shall successive temporary employments be permitted for the
same position.
K. Suspension/Leave of Absence
For disciplinary purposes, or pending investigation of actions or conduct which may result in a
cause for discharge or reduction, in accordance with the City and department policies and any
applicable labor contract,the City Manager shall have the power to suspend or mandate a leave of
absence for,with or without pay, any employee or officer for a period of up to 60 days.Any such
action shall be subject to all applicable labor contracts. The suspended employee shall have 10
days to appeal the suspension to the Commision. In lieu of an appeal to the Commission,the
employee may appeal the suspension by such other process to which she or he is otherwise
entitled.
L. Discharge
No employee or officer, after satisfactory completion of a probationary period, shall be removed or
discharged except for cause upon written charges and after an opportunity to be heard in their own
defense, as provided by Minnesota law. Charges against an officer may be presented only by the
City Manager, and shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commission.The Commission shall hear
the charges as soon as feasible and the officer shall be afforded 10 days written notice of the
hearing. In lieu of a hearing before the Commission,the employee may pursue any other process to
which she or he is otherwise entitled. Nothing in this section shall limit the power of any officer to
suspend a subordinate for a reasonable period of time not exceeding 60 days for the purpose of
discipline, or pending investigation of charges.
M. Lay-Off and Reinstatement
Whenever it becomes necessary,for lack of funds or any other causes,to reduce the force,the City
Manager shall notify the Commission in writing, at least two weeks in advance,giving the number
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of positions to be vacated and reasons therefore.Temporary and probationary appointees shall be
laid off first, in the order named. Permanent employees shall be laid off on the basis of seniority,as
defined in the labor contract.
Any employee or officer who has been laid off in accordance with these rules shall be eligible for
reinstatement to positions of the same class and grade as the position from which lay-off
commences. Such persons shall be reinstated in the reverse order of lay-off. When vacancies
occur, appointment shall be made from the pool of laid off employees or officers before new
applicants are considered,and in accordance with the labor contract.
Article IV: Amendments and Revisions
The Commission will review these Rules and Regulations annually at a meeting with a majority of the
Commissioners present, and Commissioners will present recommendations for changes and amendments.
These Rules and Regulations can be altered or amended at any regular Commission meeting, provided that
notice of the proposed changes and amendments is mailed to each member at least 10 business days
before the meeting.
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