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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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WHERE...
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