Baton Rouge Metropolitan Fire and Police Civil Service Board Meeting - November 24, 2025

The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Fire and Police Civil Service Board convened on November 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. (with the start time later adjusted to 9:30 a.m. for future meetings). The board addressed routine personnel actions, a complex provisional appointment renewal, proposed classification changes, and the 2026 meeting calendar. All votes were unanimous, and no public comments were offered.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda without amendment.
• Approved minutes from the October 27, 2025 meeting.
• Approved personal action forms for both the Fire and Police Departments.
• Called for examinations in the Police Department for Police Criminal Information Specialist One and Police Cadet.
• Accepted applications in the Police Department for Police Communications Supervisor.
• Accepted applications in the Fire Department for Assistant Chief Fire Communications Officer, Chief Training Officer, Assistant Chief Training Officer, Training Officer, Chief Fire Investigator, Chief Fire Communications Officer, and Chief of Special Services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Provisional appointment renewal for Takaya Beard (Agenda Item 8): The board discussed a letter from Chief Morse regarding an expired provisional appointment. The original 90-day appointment expired on September 15, 2025, unnoticed. The board considered options to address the gap and provide a new provisional appointment without violating the 90-day limit. After debate, they approved a retroactive appointment covering September 15–November 24, 2025, and a new 90-day appointment starting November 24, 2025. Deputy Chief Sharon Douglas, representing Chief Morse, expressed no issue with this approach.
• Proposed classification changes (Agenda Item 9): The Fire Chief explained proposed changes to classification plans for Firefighter, Fire Equipment Operator, and Fire Captain. Changes include removing outdated dates related to EMT certification and adding national certification requirements. The board asked clarifying questions and voted to conduct a public hearing on these changes.
• 2026 meeting calendar (Agenda Item 10): The board discussed rescheduling dates due to conflicts at the Metro Council and a board member's (Mr. Sterling) ongoing Monday conflict. Initially, the chair proposed moving meetings to Thursdays. However, Mr. Ricks expressed concern about changing the entire schedule for one person, and others noted travel conflicts. Ultimately, the board voted to keep the fourth Monday of each month but adjusted the start time to 9:30 a.m. to avoid traffic for members traveling in. The earlier start time of 9:00 a.m. was rejected due to bridge traffic concerns.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar motions passed unanimously.
• Approved two motions for Takaya Beard's provisional appointment: one retroactive (September 15–November 24, 2025) and one new 90-day appointment starting November 24, 2025.
• Approved a motion to conduct a public hearing on classification changes for Firefighter, Fire Equipment Operator, and Fire Captain.
• Established the 2026 meeting calendar as the fourth Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. The previous motion to move to Thursdays was withdrawn, and a motion to set the time at 9:00 a.m. died without a second.
• The meeting adjourned after these actions.