FPC Testing and Recruiting Committee Meeting – March 10, 2026
FPC Testing and Recruiting Committee Meeting – March 10, 2026
The Fire and Police Commission's Testing and Recruiting Committee met on March 10, 2026, at 4:37 p.m. at City Hall, Room 301-A, with all five commissioners present (Commissioners Spencer, Ramey, Evans, Horwitz, and World-Patterson). The agenda included a recruiting update, proposed rule changes for promotional preference points, and amendments to police aide rules. The meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of January 13, 2026, Meeting Minutes (FPC212435): A motion by Ramon Evans, seconded by LaNelle Ramey, was adopted with a 4-0 vote (Commissioner Horwitz excused).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made in person or virtually.
Discussion Items
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2026 Recruiting and Advertising Plan (FPC212437): FPC recruiters Jocelyn Morales and Jordan Dickerson presented the plan. In 2025, the team conducted 106 recruitment events (college presentations, career fairs, prep sessions, etc.). For 2026, 18 events have already occurred, and a new strategy focuses on targeted digital marketing (social media, YouTube, streaming ads during March Madness and the World Cup) rather than broad-based events. Analytics show that most candidates hear about openings through online job boards (e.g., Indeed), Facebook, and word of mouth. The team also highlighted partnership with SROs to recruit police aides and new testimonial videos from officers. Commissioners suggested expanding outreach to high school college/career centers and using SROs for follow-up. The communication was placed on file.
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Promotional Preference Points for Community/Volunteer Service (FPC212347): A draft rule change was presented, offering 5, 7.5, or 10 preference points for 120, 180, or 240 hours of volunteer service, respectively. Points would be added after a passing score on promotional exams (not entry-level). Commissioner Spencer proposed naming them "Colcroft Points" in honor of former commissioner/firefighter Everett Colcroft. Discussion included clarifying that points are additive to test scores (e.g., moving from rank 20 to top 10). The committee supported the concept but noted the half-point issue and suggested a 3/6/9 point system. The item will be forwarded to the full commission as a resolution with a proposed effective date of September 1, 2026, to allow a runway and avoid affecting the upcoming sergeant exam.
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Promotional Preference Points for Police Leadership Courses/FTO Service (FPC212348): Assistant Chief Sarnell noted that FTO service is a select, supervisor-selected role and cautioned against adding multiple layers of preference points. Commissioner Horwitz raised concerns about uniformity and perceived fairness. Commissioner Spencer suggested holding the item pending more data on the FTO program (number of FTOs, selection process, variability). Fire Chief Parish noted that MFD offers time credit (early exam eligibility) for paramedic licensure and degrees, which could be a model. The item was held to call of the chair.
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Proposed Amendments to FPC Rules Involving Police Aides (FPC212350): Staff proposed reducing the minimum age for police aide applicants from less than 21 to less than 20, and shortening the required service from two years to one year. This reflects current hiring realities where police officer applicants face shorter wait times. The committee supported the change. Additionally, staff requested a one-time waiver for two police aides who would be two weeks short of one year of service by the August 2026 recruit class. Commissioners generally supported the waiver but stressed it should not set a precedent. The item will go to the full commission as a resolution.
Key Outcomes
- Recruiting Update: Placed on file; no further action.
- Volunteer Preference Points: Committee consensus to forward to the full commission as a resolution, with a proposed effective date of September 1, 2026, and naming "Colcroft Points."
- FTO/Leadership Points: Held to call of the chair; staff to provide detailed information on the FTO program before future discussion.
- Police Aide Rule Changes: Forwarded to full commission as a resolution, with support for a one-time waiver for two aides short of the one-year requirement.
Meeting Transcript
Able to join. We're we'll finish up whatever agenda item we're on and then we're gonna move to we're gonna move item four up. Okay. Woo. This is the March 10th, 2026 meeting of the Fire and Police Commission's testing and recruiting committee. Present are Commissioners Evans, Raimi, World Patterson, and myself, Commissioner Spencer, Commissioner Horowitz is expected shortly. Also present are FPC Executive Director Leon Todd and Deputy Director J Pusick. Director, please proceed with the agenda. Thank you, Madam Chair. We will begin with item one public comment. Uh we have no one uh with us today in person for public comment and no one virtually uh either. Okay. There being uh no comments, this concludes the public comment portion of the meeting. Director, please proceed. Uh the second item on the agenda is FPC two one two four three five resolution to approve the January thirteenth, two thousand twenty-six meeting minutes. Is there a motion on this matter? So move second. Okay. Uh any discussion. I'll take a voice vote for this item. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. All right. Aye. Aye. Uh that's all of us. Motion carries. Director, please proceed. The third item on the agenda is FPC two one two four three seven communication from FPC staff relating to uh the twenty twenty-six recruiting and advertising plan for the police officer position. And for this item, we have FPC recruiters Jocelyn Morales and Jordan Dickerson with us. Good evening. Good evening. Yes, please. And um I think Bridget, can you on the PowerPoint? Um, so we're gonna be presenting in regards to our police officer recruitment, but we are also participating in our nine one-one, which is now emergency communication officer recruitment, as well as uh firefighter, fire cadet. So those will not be mentioned, but they are ongoing as well. Uh so for this focus, we're going to let me see if I can go to the slide. I cannot. I think it's library. So this is uh just an overview of the events that we did in 2025. We did 106 recruitment events that FPC was present in. You can also see the map, the overview of event of places we have been. This does not show the places that we have been in multiple times as long as we were there once. It's noticed. I'm sorry. Real quick, you go and now sharing the screen. So just in case you want us to see it. Oh, yes, we would. Sorry. What do I say? What did he say?
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