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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Elizabeth Coronado, Director of Human Resources
DATE: May 13, 2022
SUBJECT:
Changing the minimum education requirements for entry level police officer and fire private applicants.
PURPOSE:
To mitigate the challenges with meeting manpower goals for sworn personnel, amending the grade point average requirement to 2.0% with the goal of increasing our applicant pools. This will decrease a barrier to entry for qualified applicants interested in a public safety career, allowing us to remain a competitive employer for public safety careers.
BACKGROUND:
There is a continuing decline in the applicant pool that has affected the hiring of sworn public safety personnel. Our research has shown that applicants that don’t meet the 2.5% grade point average didn’t pursue higher education but have military experience, or don’t yet have enough college credit to meet the requirement. However, they are otherwise qualified.
Additionally, the minimum requirements of comparable municipalities of similar size and demographics do not have a minimum grade point average, regardless of the level of education required.
DISCUSSION:
We will maintain a threshold of “C” average for sworn public safety positions. We will also continue offering preference points for higher education (Associates degree, 2 points), (Bachelors and above 5 points).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
We will mitigate the challenges currently related to recruiting qualified sworn personnel by offering a larger talent pool to our police and fire departments.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council adopt the attached ordinance amending the City's education requirements for new public safety applicants.
cc: Rules, Administration, and Procedures
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance amending Chapter 13.5-6 of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to the qualifications of newly-hired public safety personnel.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Human Resources Department has determined that a need exists to change the minimum education requirements for entry-level police officer and fire private applicants; and:
WHEREAS, Chapter 13.5 of the Code of Ordinances which establishes a system of civil service within the City, expressly states the minimum education requirements to hiring of public safety personnel; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that is in the best interests of the City to mitigate the challenges with meeting manpower goals for sworn personnel, by lowing the grade point average to 2.0 to increase our applicant pools; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that decreasing a barrier to entry for qualified applicants interested in a public safety career allowing the City to remain a competitive employer for those seeking public safety careers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that Section 13.5-6 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, shall be and hereby is amended, as set forth in Exhibit A to this Ordinance.