Chapter 1.54
POLICE DEPARTMENT—CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION*
Sections:
1.54.010 Civil service adopted—Rules and regulations.
1.54.020 Commission created—Membership—Term—Vacancies.
1.54.030 Authority for adoption.
1.54.040 Chief—Appointment and removal.
1.54.050 Deputy chief—Appointment and removal.
* Civil service generally—See Charter Article XVI.
1.54.010 Civil service adopted—Rules and regulations.
A. System Adopted. The system commonly known as civil service is adopted for the police department of the city of Yakima, and all employment, advancement and demotion therein and discharge therefrom shall be under the control of and governed by the civil service commission provided for by this chapter, which commission shall adopt and promulgate civil service rules and regulations which substantially accomplish the purpose of RCW Chapter 41.12. Any police chief appointed after March 15, 1994, is not covered by this section.
The civil service commission shall adopt and promulgate specific rules and regulations relating to employee promotions and examinations therefor. Such rules and regulations shall provide that in order for any employee to be eligible for promotion such employee shall not have been the subject of any disciplinary action by letter of reprimand, demotion, removal, suspension or discharge and shall otherwise have been successfully evaluated by his/her superior for the two years immediately prior to taking the promotional examination. Any rule, regulation or practice adopted by the civil service commission contrary to this subsection shall be void.
B. Discipline of Employees. Concerning the disciplining of employees, the civil service commission shall have authority and jurisdiction to investigate, by public hearings, the removal, suspension, demotion and discharge of an employee by the appointing power and to determine whether such action was or was not made for political or religious reasons and whether it was or was not made in good faith for cause. The civil service commission shall have no authority or jurisdiction to investigate or review by public hearings or other means, nor otherwise adopt or enforce civil service rules or regulations concerning, any matter related to the disciplining of employees by any method other than removal, suspension, demotion or discharge. The civil service commission shall have no authority or jurisdiction to adopt or enforce any rule or regulation which excludes letters of reprimand and other management actions or which otherwise has the effect of limiting the types of disciplinary action which disqualify an applicant from promotion, other than disciplinary action consisting of removal, suspension, demotion or discharge. Any rule, regulation or practice of the civil service commission purporting to exercise any authority or jurisdiction contrary to this subsection is void. (Ord. 94-4 § 1, 1994: Ord. 2481 § 2, 1980: Ord. 2431 § 2, 1980: Ord. 398 § 3, 1962: Ord. B-199 § 1, 1937).
1.54.020 Commission created—Membership—Term—Vacancies.
There is created for the administration of such civil service for the police department a civil service commission composed of three members. Such members shall be appointed by the city manager subject to the approval of the majority of the city council. Each member of such commission shall hold office for a period of six years and shall serve without pay; except however, that the first three members appointed to said commission shall serve respectively for periods of two, four and six years. Upon their reappointment or the appointment of others to fill their positions, said appointments shall be for the full term of six years. In the event that any civil service commissioner shall resign or be removed for cause, another commissioner shall be appointed to take his place for the unexpired portion of his term. (Ord. B-199 § 2, 1937).
1.54.030 Authority for adoption.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by RCW 41.12.010. (Ord. 398 § 4; December 3, 1962: prior Ord. B-199 § 3; June 30, 1937).
1.54.040 Chief—Appointment and removal.
Any police chief appointed after March 15, 1994 shall be appointed by the city manager upon the basis of his/her qualification and experience for such office, and may be removed by the city manager at any time, for any reason, subject only to any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulations then in force and effect. Any police chief appointed after March 15, 1994 is excluded from the civil service. Any and all civil service rules, including but not limited to rules concerning examination, appointment, promotion, transfer, reinstatement, demotion, suspension, discipline, advancement, removal or discharge, shall not apply to the police chief. (Ord. 94-4 § 2, 1994).
1.54.050 Deputy chief—Appointment and removal.
Any deputy chief of police appointed shall be appointed by the chief of police upon the basis of his/her qualification and experience for such office, and may be removed by the chief of police at any time, for any reason, subject only to any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation then in force and effect. Any deputy chief of police appointed is excluded from the civil service. Any and all civil service rules, including but not limited to rules concerning examination, appointment, promotion, transfer, reinstatement, demotion, suspension, discipline, advancement, removal or discharge, shall not apply to the deputy chief of police. (Ord. 2008-43 § 3, 2008).