§ 11.17. Entrance examinations/eligibility lists.

(a)

Open and competitive entrance examinations shall be administered to provide eligibility lists for beginning positions in the fire and police departments. The examinations are open to each person who makes a proper application and meets the prescribed requirements.

(b)

An eligibility list for a beginning position in the fire or police department may be created only as a result of a competitive examination held in the presence of each applicant for the position, except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d). The examination must be based on the person's general knowledge and aptitude and must inquire into the applicant's general education and mental ability. A person may not be appointed to the fire or police department other than through the examination except as otherwise provided in this article.

(c)

Examinations for beginning positions in the fire department may be held at different locations if each applicant takes the same examination and is examined in the presence of other applicants.

(d)

An applicant may not take an examination unless at least one other applicant taking the examination is present.

(e)

Each applicant's grade on the written examination is based on a maximum grade of 100 points and is determined entirely by the correctness of the applicant's answers to the questions. The minimum passing grade on the examination is 70 points. An applicant must pass the examination to be placed on an eligibility list.

(f)

An additional five points shall be added to the examination grade of an applicant who served in the United States armed forces, received an honorable discharge, and made a passing grade on the examination as long as appropriate documentation showing honorable discharge (or current enlistment) is presented at the time of the test.

(g)

Ties will be broken by a pre-determined method approved by the Commission.

(h)

The Director shall keep each eligibility list for a beginning position in effect for a period of 12 months, unless the names of all applicants on the list have been referred to the appropriate department or the list has been exhausted. The effective date of the eligibility list begins on the day of the test with the test expiring as outlined above.

(i)

The Director is responsible for the preparation and security of each entrance examination.

(j)

A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally: (1) reveals a part of an entrance examination to an unauthorized person for either person's unfair personal gain or advantage; or (2) receives from an authorized or unauthorized person a part of an entrance examination for unfair personal gain or advantage.

(k)

An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

(Ord. of 11-17-08)