Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 1752
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Addressing the qualifications for chief examiners.
Sponsors: Representatives Hawkins and Takko.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/3/15
Staff: Michaela Murdock (786-7289).
Background:
Civil Service Commissions - Office of the County Sheriff.
Civil service commissions for county sheriffs' offices (commissions) are created by statute to establish a merit system of employment for county deputy sheriffs and other employees of county sheriffs' offices. Statute provides that the purpose of the civil service system is to raise the standards and efficiency of such offices and law enforcement in general.
A commission is created by statute for each county or each combination of counties operating under a civil service system. Each commission is composed of three members appointed by the county legislative authority; however, the county, or combined counties, may increase the number from three to five members.
Commission members must be: a United States citizen; a resident of the county for at least two years immediately preceding appointment to the commission; and a registered voter of the county. Members are not paid, and they are prohibited from holding any salaried public office or engaging in county employment apart from their commission duties.
According to statute, commissions have numerous duties and powers. For example, they: (1) adopt rules and regulations, including those regulating the manner of examination, appointment, promotion, suspension, and discharge of employees and deputies of the sheriff's office; (2) administer practical tests to determine a person's capacity to perform duties of a position, including physical fitness and manual skills tests; and (3) conduct hearings and investigations in accordance with statute and rules adopted by the commission.
Chief Examiners.
Commissions are charged with appointing a chief examiner, who must also serve as secretary of the commission. The commission has supervisory responsibility over the chief examiner. The chief examiner keeps the records for the commission, preserves all reports made to the commission, and keeps a record of all examinations. The commission may prescribe additional duties of the chief examiner.
The chief examiner must be appointed to the position as a result of a competitive examination open to all properly qualified citizens of the county. The appointee is prohibited from being an employee of the sheriff's office.
Summary of Bill:
The requirement that chief examiners of civil service commissions for county sheriffs' offices be residents of the county they serve is eliminated.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.