HomeMy WebLinkAbout5017ORDINANCE PTO. -r)(
AN ORDINANCE ELECTING THREE 7.TE1,MRS OF THE BOARD OF
CI?TIL SERVICE COTIZII33IONER3 OF LITTLE ROCK AND DESIGNATING
THE PERIOD FOR ::_RICH THEY SHALL :3 a VE __'13 SUCH COI:2,IISSIONER,
ALL IN iCCORDANCE VI TH ACT NO. •Z OF THE :!CTS OF THE
GENERAL :`33E :RLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS FOR THE YE.yR 1933.
IHEREAS the 1933 General Assembly of the State of rkansas
has by _ct No. created a Board of Civil Service Com-
missioners in cities of the first Class having organized *Police
and lire Departments, and
MEREAS under said act it is the duty of the City
I
ouncil to elect three members of such Board of Commissioners
or the term of t,.vo, four, and sip: years respectively,
THE' = FO';E RE I T ORAI T'D BY THI' CITY COUITCI L O THE CITY OF
LITTLE ROCK:
section 1. That John P. Baird is hereby elected for the
term ending .pri l 1,1934; lilliam R. James is hereby elected
for the term endin April 1,1936 and Dr. George F. Jackson
is hereby electe for the term ending; :pril 1,1938, to serve
as members of the Board of Civil service Commissioners of
Little ryock.
Section 2. Tie immediate necessity of complying with
the provisions of the _3tate Law in regard to the organization
of the 7olice and Fire Departments in cities of the first
class has created an ernergency re wiring that this ordinance
shall become operative imr. .iediately u-)on its passage and a-.p-roval.
Passed: rCR 1 2 1QQ�
ttcst;
proved:
1:1 O r
MALIT-A
AN ACT To C"'LATiL k"A' 130 JW OF CIVIL SERVICE COMMIS2IONERS OF CITIES
or THE FIRST CLASS HAVINTO A POLICE DZPARTMENT &ND ALI, CITIES HAVING
I IZZD FIRS DEPARWL14TS IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: TO HAVE
L# NAKAO*,.-,MENT AND "RISDICTION OF THE OFFICERS AND EXPLOYEZE
,D FIRS AND POLICE DIPARTUMTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CITIES: To
UP
Cv WISSION, AND FOR Or .7,
TIM STATE OF ARKANSAS,
ting after the passale and apift
proval of this Act$ the City Cuuncil or governing body in cities having
organized Fire Departments, and cities of the first class having a Poli
Department in the State of Arkansas, shall by ordinance nano three
upright and intelligent citizens of their respective cities as a
Board of Civil Service Commissioners for the Police and Fire
Departments of their respective c1tios, who shall hold office, one
until the first 41onday in April and the second year of his appoint-
ment, one until the first !4onday In jl,,)ril of the fourth year after hi
intment, and one until the first Monday in April of the sixth
91 his, appuint.;'.-.ent.
'When a vacancy shall occur on said Board by death, resignation oir
expiration of tho term of office, or in any other manner, such vaesocy
shall be filled by the other members thereof; and upon the failure by
such Board to do so after thirty days (30) written notice, the City
Council, or other governing body may fill such vacancy. Vacancies oc-
curring during the term, of office of any Commissioner shall be filled
for the remainder of such term upon the expiration of the term of the
Commissioner, his successor shall. be elected by the remaining, members
of the Commission for a period of six years. 'rho Chairman of the Co
, or De a c
or any office of public trust under any national, state, county,
icipal government, or school district, or be connected In any
any official capacity with any political party or organization, and
no such person as herein enumerated shall be Oligjble for a place on
said Board of Civil zGervice ACommission who at ithe tirAe of his election
shall hold any such office,
Two of said members shall constitute a quorum to transact business.
"o Commissioners must be citizens of Arkansas, and residents of the
city for more than three years next preceding their appointment. Said
Commissioners shall serve without ply.
The City Council or the governing; body by two - thirds vote may remove
any of said Civil �eervice Commissioners during their term of office for
cause, but the vacancy thereby created shall be filled by the remaining
members of the Civil Service Commission. The hoard of Civil Service
Commissioners stall elect one of their members as secretary who shall keep
the books and records of said Board, and shall conduct the correspondence
of said Board, shall report the evidence at all trials and shah, act as
Clerk when the 13oard shall constituter a trial court, and any other duties
that may be ordered by the Board.
'rho City :attorney shall act as attorney for the Civil Service Coi#-
mission in all trials and other legal transactions provided that this Act
shall not apply to the Chief of Police in all cities which now have, or may
hereafter have, a Commission form of government, and provided further
that the i:h of Of :'olicee in said Cities shall be appointed and removed
as now provided by law.
section 2. That the Civil Service Commissioners nar°�ed as provided
herein shall meet and organize, and they City Council, or Board of Com-
missioners, as the case may be, shall provide suitable rooms for such
Board of Civil Service Commissioners to hold meetinEs, and shall allow
all reasonable supplies and use of public buildings for holding; examina-
tions by such hoard. `I`he3 Commissioner, who shall be elected for a term
of two years, shall act as president and shall preside over all meetings
of the Civil Service Commission and be its executive officer. The presi-
dent shall vote on questions before the Board of Civil Service CosmaissiowW
only in case of a tie. In the absence of the president the Board shall
elect one of their number to act instead of the president and such member
so elected shall be clothed with all the powers, right and duties of the
said president during the absence of the president. The member of the
Civil. Sere ice Commission Whose term shall next expire shall serve ae 'resi-
dent during the last year of his terra.
The Board shall elect one of their members as z�escretary who shall
keep the books, records of said hoard and shall conduct the correspondence
of said Board, shall report the evidence at all trials and shall act as
Clerk when the Board shall constitute a trial court and any other duties
that %riay be ordered by the Board.
SECTION 3, The Board of Civil service Commissioners herein provided
shall proscribe, amend and enforce rules and regulations governing the
fire and police departments of their respective cities, and said rules and
regulations shall have the same force and effect of law. They shall keep
a record of its examinations and shall investigate the enforcement and
effect of this act and the rules as provided for herein.
These rules shall provide:
let. For the qualifications of each applicant for appointment to any posi-
tion on the police or fire department; provided, however, that no person
shall be eligible for appointment to any position on the fire department
who has not arrived to the age of 21 or who Is over 31 years of age; and
no person shall be eligible for appointment on the police department
affected by this act who has not arrived at the age of 21 years or who in
over the av-.,,e of 45 years; provided, further that this ag* limit shall not
apply to arV person employed on the ponce or fire departments at the time
of the passage of this Act*
2nd. For open competitive examination to test the relative fitness of
applicants for such positions,
3rd. For p,,Abllo advertisement of all examinations by publication of notice
in sore newspaper having a bona-fide circulation In said City and by post-
ing, of notice at the City Hall at least IQ days before the date of said
examinations. Said examinations shall be hold on the first Monday in April
and the first Monday in -')ctober,, and more often if necessary under the
rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the %ard of Civil service
Commissioners*
4th, For the creation of eligible lists for each rank of employment in
said departments in which shall be entered the naoos of the successful
candidates in the order of their standing in the eXamination* No person
shall be eligible for examination for advancement from a lower to a
higher rank until he shall have served at least one year in the lower
rank except In case of emergency, which emergency shall be decided by
the Board of Commi. so toners, All lists for appointments or promotions
as certified by the Board of Civil Service Oommt6sipners shall be and
remain in force any: effect for the period of one year from the date
thereof and at the expiration of caid period all ri ht or priority
under said lists shall cease,
6th. For the rejection of candidates of eligibles who fall to 4omply
with reasonable requirements of the Board in regard to ages sex, physical
condition or wbo has been guilty of a felony, or who has attempted fraud
JUM or deception in connection with the examination. All applicants for
appointment and all applicants for reinstatement shall undergo a suitable
physical examination. Said examination to be conducted in the manner and
form as now provided by law, provided that, if no provision has been made
by existing laws for such examinations then the Board of Civil Zervics
Commission may adopt proper rules and regulations to earn:• this provision
into effect.
6th. For the appointment or promotion of the one standing highest on
the eligible list for that rank of service.
7th. For a period of probation of not to exceed six months before any
appointment or pr6mmtion is complete, during which period the probationer
may be disc iarg ed, in case of an appointment, or reduced, in case of pro-
motion, by the Chief of the police or of the fire dopartivient.
3th. For temporary employees without examination with the consent of
the comifii scion, in cases of emergency, and pending appointment from
eligible list, but no teoporar�yr appointment shall continue longer than
60 days nor shall successive temporary appointments be allowed except
in tides of grave danger of which the commission shall decide.
9th. For promotion based upon open competitive examination of
efficiency, character and conduct, lists shall be created for each rank
of service and promotions made therefrom in the swie manner as provided
for original appointment. An advancement in rack or increase in aailary
beyond the limes fixed for t1he grade by the rules of said commission
shell constitute a promotion.
10th. For suspension for not longer than 34 days, arV, for leave of
absence.
11th. For discharge or reduction in rank or compensation after pro-
motion or appointment is complete, only after the person to be dis-
charged, or reduced, has been presented with time reasons for such
z.
discharge or reduction in writing. The person so discharged or reduced
shall have the right within ten days from the date of notice or dis-
charge or reduction to reply in writing
,, and should said person deny
the truth of such reasons f:apon which such discharge or reduction is
predicated and shall demand a trial, said Commission shall grant a
trial as provided hereinafter. The reasons and the reply shall consti-
tute a part of said trial and be filed with the record.
12th. For the adoption and amendment of rules after public notice
and hearings The commission shall adjopt such rules not inconsistent
with the act for the necessary enforcement of the act*
SECTION T11at j-.,11 employees, In any fire or police dopartmentg
.3,
affected by this Act, shall be governed by rules and regulations set
out by the Chief of the respective police or fire departments after
such rules and regulations have been adopted by the governing bodies of
their respective municipalities.
SECTION 5. That no officer, private or employee of any police or
fire department affected by this act shall be discharged or reduced in
rank or compensation without being notified in writing as provided
herein* That such person shall have the right of reply and trial as
provided herein rlyl(i may be discharged or reduced only after conviction
at said trial before the commissione
said trial must take place within fifteen days after demand for
such is made, and the accused must be notified at least 10 days prior
to the date and place of said trial and have compulsory ,,)recess to have
witnesses present at such trial.
The president shall provide at all trials and shall determine
and decide all questions relative to pleadings and admissibility of
evidence. The decision of the commission shall be by a majority vote of
the members of the comynissiono
A right of appeal is hereby given from such action of the
Board of Civil Service Commissioners. to the Circuit Court within whose
jurisdiction the Roard of Civil Service rommissioners are situated.
Such trials in the Circuit Court shall be de novo,'and the parties to
such appeal may introduce any further or other evidence that they may
desire provided the sa. ;; -je is legal,, relevant and competent,
A right of appeal is also given from any action from, the Circuit Court
to the Supreme Court of the State of �rkansas, and such ay p, )
eals shall
be governed by the rales and prodedure in appeals of equitable cases*
M
In the event that it is finally determined that there was a
wrongful suspension, reduction in rank or discharge of any member of the
police or fire department, such employee shall in such case be entitled
to summary judgment against the City for full pay for the tine he lost
by reason of his suspension or discharge or for the difference in salary
or loss he shall have sustained by reason of 9xW reduction in rank.
G. That in the case of a vacancy in a position requiring
peculiar or exceptional qualifications of the scientific, professional
or expert character, upon satisfactory evidence that competition Is
Impracticable and the position can 'best be filled by the selection of
some person designated and of recognized attainment, the Board of Cori.•
mi ssioners may by a majority vote suspend competition in such case, but
such suspension shall not be general in its application, and each case
bust be handled on its own merits.
SECTIUN 7. All examinations provided for herein shall be fair
and iMTZartial., and such as to test the qualification of the applicant
for the particular service and position to be filled.
SECTION 8, No officer, private, or other employees of any police
or fire department affected by this act and in the employ of such
department at the time of the passage of this act skull. be subject to
examination, except for promotion or advancement, but shall retain their
present standing subject to the father provisions of this act.
SECTION 9. Ttie Secretary of said Civil service Commission shall
file with the treasurer or disbursing officer of their respective cities
a certificate of those entitled to compensation from they city under this
,°yet. No compensation shaall be allowed to any member of the police or
fire deDartme3nts of the affected cities unless their names shall be so
certified by the secretary of the commission.
SECTION 3Q. In any investigation conducted by the commission, herein
provided, this commission shall have the power of subpoena and require
the attendance of any witness and they production of any papers or records
pertinent to the Investigation and to administer oaths to such vi tness:ses
and to punish for contompt the rlon- attendance of witnesses or the failure
to produce such books or papers or misbehavior of any person or persons
during the investigation b y a fine .rot to exceed Fifty Dollars for each
offense.
SECTIUN 11. No person in any department affected hereby shall
be appointee, reduced, suspended or discharged or otherwise diseariginated
against because of his policital opinion or affiliation.
SECTION 12. No officer or employee in any department affected by
this act shall engage in the solicitation of any subscription funds or
assessments or contribute thereto for tuly political party or purposes
and shall not be connected with any polititcal campaign or political
management except to cast his vote and to express his personal opinion
privately.
SECTION 13. In case of suspension, discharge or reduction, the
affected or accused person shall have written notice of such action at
time action Is taken,
SECTION 141. No person in any department affected hereby shall be
transferred from one department to another.
3ECT1614 15. In event that it shall be necessary to reduce the
personnel of any department affected hereby, such reduction shall be done
from the lowest rank, seniority havine. priority.
SECTION 16. That in this act the word, or words, Roardo Commission
or Commissioners, when used, shall be construed to apply to the Board of
Civil Service commissioners of the police and fire departments as provided
L
for in Section I of this Act*
SECTI,34 17. The City Council or Board of Commissioners shall from
time to tirt-te fix the number of employees and the salaries to be drawn
by each rank in the fire and police departments of their respective cities*
SECTION 18, If within ninety (90) days from the passa�,;e of this
,ctg the requisite number of nualified electors of any city affected by
said act shall file a i,-)etition with the City Clerk of said city request
ink; said act to be submitted to a vote of the people, then said Act
shall be suspended until same is voted on aritapproved. Upon the necessary
petition being filed with the City Clerk* it shall be his duty to certify
said act at the next city general election to be voted for or agains►
and the result shall be determined as now Provided by law In such cases,
;jggtion 19. tiny
adjudication of
Invalidity
of any
part
of
this
act shall not affect
the validity of
the act as
a whole,
or
any
other
part thereof.
SECTIUN 419. .;vny person or persons violating any part of this acts
upon conviction shall be punished as for a misdemeanor.
SECTION 21. All laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed, and this shall be in force and effect from and after
passage and approval.
February 16, 1933
Mr. John P. Baird
c/o Little Rock Adv. & Posting Co.
City
Dear Mr. Baird:
In a.ccord.unce with provisions of the Civil Service
Bill signed by Governor Futrell on February 13th, 1933, the
City Council of the City of Little Mock duly convened in
regular session on Feb:ud%,ry 13th, 1933, passed Ordinance Rio.
5017, in which Ordinance you were elected as ,a member of the
Board of Commissioners to supervise the personnel of the
Fire and' Police Departrents of said City. A copy of said
Ordinance is enclosed herewith.
The Council further directed that you be requested
by letter to be present at the nest regular meeting of the
City Council on February 27th, 1933,-8 O'clock P.M., Council ^-
Chamber, said request being prompted and m-We in an endeavor
to cooperate for the best interest of all parties concerned.
JLX :BAH
Sincerely yours,
City Clerk.