Puyallup Civil Service Commission Meeting – November 6, 2025

The Civil Service Commission met virtually on November 6, 2025, at 9:00 AM to approve multiple eligibility lists for police and corrections officer positions, hear reports from the Chief of Police and Chief Examiner, and discuss recruitment challenges and incentive increases. All commissioners were present except Scott Case.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Motion passed 4-0.
• Approval of September 22, 2025 Minutes: Motion passed 4-0 after a correction (Commissioner Case was listed in both present and absent; corrected).

Discussion Items

• New Business – Approval of Eligibility Lists (all votes were unanimous; vote tallies noted):
  • Blended Entry Level Police Officer Eligibility List: 14 applicants invited, 7 scheduled interviews, 3 passed, 3 failed (scores below 70% or automatic disqualifier), 1 canceled. Candidates added in score order (14 names). Approved 4-0.
  • Blended Advanced Entry Level Police Officer Eligibility List: 4 applicants invited, all scheduled, 2 passed (one from Bellevue PD, one from Tacoma PD), 2 failed. List of 4 candidates approved 4-0.
  • Lateral Entry Police Officer Eligibility List: 3 applicants invited, all scheduled, 2 passed (one from Tacoma PD, one from Nevada Highway Patrol). Since last meeting, one name expired and one was hired. New list of 2 candidates approved 5-0 (note: minutes record 5-0 but only four commissioners were present; possible discrepancy).
  • Blended Entry Level Corrections Officer Eligibility List: 12 applicants invited to fill 4 interview slots, only 3 slots filled, 1 canceled, resulting in 2 interviews. Both passed. List of 6 candidates approved 4-0.
  • Blended Lateral Corrections Officer Eligibility List: 4 candidates scheduled, only 2 showed, both passed. List of 5 candidates approved 4-0.
• Chief’s Report (Chief Scott Engle):
  • Corrections recruitment remains difficult with low candidate quality. Recruitment incentives have been increased (see Key Outcomes).
  • Current corrections staffing is manageable: 2 vacancies now, expected to be 3 by January 1.
  • Police officer recruitment is improving due to incentives and staff referrals. Lateral hires are attracted by shorter commutes, particularly from South King County agencies (citing I-167 congestion).
  • Optimistic about future candidate pools providing more hiring options.
  • Acknowledged the HR team’s efforts (3-person team) in processing many candidates.
• Chief Examiner’s Report (Katie Ortega):
  • Next regularly scheduled meeting is December 15, 2025, in person, unless canceled (if no interviews needed, it will roll to January).
  • Recent hires: Noah Gonzalez started September 29; Joseph Parrish to start November 10.
  • Two police candidates and one corrections candidate currently in background checks.

Key Outcomes

• All five eligibility lists were approved unanimously (4-0 for four lists; 5-0 for one list with a note of potential discrepancy).
• Recruitment incentives were increased: $35,000 for lateral/advanced entry police officers, $15,000 for entry-level police officers, and similar amounts for corrections officers. Incentives are paid in three installments: at hire, at completion of training, and at completion of probation (one year). Recipients must commit to a minimum years of service or repay the incentive.
• Next meeting scheduled for December 15, 2025, in person, with possible cancellation if no new business arises.