Questions and Answers
What shall the commission set for applicants for beginning and promotional positions?
The age and physical requirements.
What is required of each applicant for a beginning or promotional position?
To take an appropriate physical examination.
If an applicant is rejected by the physician, what can they request?
Another examination by a board of three physicians.
What is the minimum age requirement to take an entrance examination for a beginning position in the fire department?
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What age disqualifies a person from being certified as eligible for a beginning position in a fire department?
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What is the age limit for a person to be certified in a beginning position in a police department?
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What must an applicant meet to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a fire department?
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What must an applicant meet to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a police department?
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What skill must each police officer and firefighter affected by this chapter possess?
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What must a department head do when a vacancy occurs in a beginning position in a fire or police department?
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When a vacancy occurs, what must the director certify to the municipality's chief executive?
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What must the chief executive do from the three names certified?
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What must be done if the chief executive does not appoint the person having the highest grade?
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How long must a person serve in a beginning position in the fire or police department?
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What may the commission do in a municipality with a population of less than 1.9 million regarding the probationary period?
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What must happen during a fire fighter's or police officer's probationary period if their appointment was not regular?
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What may not a fire fighter or police officer be prohibited from during their probationary period?
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What happens to a fire fighter or police officer who serves the entire probationary period in compliance with this chapter?
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What does the salary section not apply to?
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What are all fire fighters or police officers in the same classification entitled to?
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What are fire fighters or police officers entitled to in addition to the base salary?
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Who may authorize assignment pay for fire fighters and police officers?
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What is the minimum vacation entitlement for fire fighters or police officers each year?
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What shall happen if a negative notation is included in a fire fighter's or police officer's personnel file?
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What is required for a commission rule prescribing cause for removal or suspension to be valid?
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What happens if a fire fighter or police officer is indicted for a felony?
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When is the physical and mental fitness determination section not applicable?
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What must a fire fighter or police officer submit if there's a question about their fitness?
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What happens if there's a disagreement in fitness reports?
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What are the conditions under which the director may not release personnel file information?
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Study Notes
Age and Physical Requirements
- The commission sets uniform age and physical standards for applicants for fire and police positions.
- Applicants must undergo physical exams, which municipalities cover; mental exams may be required for beginning positions.
Re-examination Rights
- Rejected applicants can request re-examination by a board of three appointed professionals, at their own expense.
Age Restrictions for Fire and Police Departments
- Applicants must be aged 18 to 35 for fire department positions.
- Individuals over 36 cannot be certified for the fire department.
- Individuals over 45 are ineligible for beginning positions in the police department.
Eligibility for Certification
- Fire department applicants must meet legal requirements for future certification by the Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education.
- Police department applicants must fulfill legal requirements for future licensing by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
- All fire fighters and police officers must be literate in English.
Appointment Process for Vacancies
- When a position is vacant, the department head requests suitable candidates from the eligibility list.
- The chief executive appoints the candidate with the highest grade unless justified otherwise.
Probationary Periods
- Newly appointed firefighters and police officers serve a one-year probationary period.
- In municipalities under 1.9 million population, the probation can be extended by six months if specific conditions apply.
- During probation, unsuccessful appointments must be removed from payroll.
Employment Rights
- Employees on probation cannot be forced to join or prohibited from joining employee organizations.
- Successful completion of the probationary period grants full civil service protection.
Salary and Compensation
- Salary provisions do not apply to municipalities with a population of 1.5 million or more.
- All officers of the same rank receive equal base salaries.
- Additional pay types include longevity, educational incentives, certification, assignment, shift differentials, and fitness incentives as conditions allow.
Leave Policies
- Officers accrue sick leave at the rate of 1.25 days per month, totaling 15 days per year.
- Sick leave can accumulate indefinitely, with extensions available for on-duty injuries.
- Each officer earns a minimum of 15 vacation days annually.
Disciplinary Actions and Grounds
- Grounds for removal or suspension include legal convictions, incompetency, neglect, and misconduct, among others.
- Temporary suspension is permissible for officers indicted on felony charges, lasting up to 30 days post-disposition.
Fitness for Duty Assessments
- The commission evaluates physical and mental fitness; personal assessments can be contested leading to further evaluations by designated experts.
- Cost liabilities for evaluations and reports are split between the officer and the municipality.
Political Activities
- Officers engage in various political activities, which includes campaigning, advocacy, and makes derogatory remarks against candidates.
Personnel Records
- Firefighters and police officers have personnel files that track commendations, disciplinary actions, and evaluations.
- Negative entries must be communicated within 30 days, allowing for the officer to reply in writing.
- Officers may access their files upon request, with potential fees for copies, while privacy is maintained unless legally mandated to release information.
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Description
Test your knowledge of local government civil service regulations with this flashcard quiz on Chapter 143. Each card focuses on specific provisions regarding age, physical requirements, and examinations for applicants in public service positions.
