Filling the opening for a patrolman on the Wheeling Police Department will be an easier task now that the village has voted to exempt some candidates from required pretesting.
The Wheeling Village Board recently approved a change to the police and fire commission regulations that allow police officers and firefighters who have at least one year of experience with another municipality to skip the physical and written exam and move directly into the application and interview process.
Officials say the change will make it easier to fill positions because it will eliminate schedule conflicts and waiting times that can drag the hiring process out three to six months.
“Now we will be able to fill positions in half that time,” said Craig Anderson, assistant village manager.
Without the change, Wheeling would have to wait until police applicants are tested by the Northwest Municipal Conference, the organization that trains and tests police and firefighters in the northwest suburbs. No more testing dates are scheduled this year.
Michael Hermes, deputy chief of police, is hopeful the lateral movement policy will entice officers from neighboring communities to apply for the Wheeling opening.
“We are in a good position because our salaries are a little higher than many of the neighboring communities. And because we are a small force, there is more opportunity for promotion here,” he said.
