Municipal Civil Service for Firefighters and Police Officers: Chapter 143, Subchapter A

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What is the purpose of Chapter 143 in relation to fire and police departments?

To appoint personnel based on political influence

To favor temporary employment tenure for public servants

To ensure capable personnel free from political influence (correct)

To encourage political involvement in department decisions

Who is responsible for administering Chapter 143 in accordance with its purpose?

State demographers

Elected officials of the municipality

Members of the Fire Fighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service Commission (correct)

Federal census officers

Under what conditions does Chapter 143 apply to a municipality?

If the municipality has a population of any size

If the municipality has voted to adopt this chapter and meets certain criteria (correct)

If the municipality has a volunteer fire department

If the municipality has a population under 10,000

How is the population of a municipality determined under Chapter 143?

By the most recent federal decennial census or state demographic estimates Signup and view all the answers

What type of departments should be composed based on Chapter 143 requirements?

Departments with capable personnel free from political influence Signup and view all the answers

Who validates a municipality's election to adopt Chapter 143?

Law enacted by the state legislature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of fire fighter covered by the definition in this chapter?

Fire budget analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum percentage of qualified voters required to petition for an election to adopt or repeal this chapter?

10% Signup and view all the answers

How long must a municipality wait before holding another election to adopt or repeal this chapter after a previous election has been held?

1 year Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a petition to hold an election to adopt or repeal this chapter?

The petition must include the date of the next authorized uniform election Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum percentage of votes required to adopt this chapter in an election?

50% Signup and view all the answers

If a municipality's population changes such that it no longer meets the population requirement in Subsection (a)(1), how does that affect the application of this chapter to the municipality?

The chapter continues to apply to the municipality Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire department employee does not need to take a competitive examination to remain in their position if certain conditions are met?

An employee serving in a position described by Section 143.0051(a) Signup and view all the answers

What must happen for a person to be selected to fill a position left by a fire department employee with civil service status?

The person must be selected through competitive civil service procedures Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions may a fire department employee with civil service status be promoted?

Only by competitive examination within the existing division Signup and view all the answers

What action does the municipality's governing body need to take to grant civil service status to specific fire department employees?

Pass an ordinance amending the municipality's classification of fire department employees Signup and view all the answers

What does a municipality need to establish in order to collect fees for emergency medical services?

A monthly fee applicable to customers served by municipal water accounts Signup and view all the answers

What authority does a municipality acting under Section 143.0052(c) supersede?

Any existing authority established under Chapter 286, Health and Safety Code Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum percentage of qualified voters required to sign a petition to repeal the civil service law in a municipality with a population less than 950,000?

10 percent Signup and view all the answers

If a majority of qualified voters vote to repeal the civil service law in a municipality, what happens to the law?

It is void in that municipality. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following positions in a fire department are considered to be fire fighters entitled to civil service protection?

Emergency medical services personnel Signup and view all the answers

If a municipality adopts the civil service law, what is the status of a fire fighter or police officer who has been in the service for more than six months at the time of adoption?

They are granted civil service status without an examination. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true for a previously non-classified fire department employee in a municipality with a population of 220,000 or more?

They can be promoted only by competitive examination within their existing division. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following municipalities is the section on the status of employees in certain fire departments NOT applicable to?

A municipality with a population of 200,000 Signup and view all the answers

How long does the chief executive of the municipality have to appoint the members of the commission after the date this chapter is adopted?

60 days Signup and view all the answers

When must the governing body of the municipality implement this chapter?

Within 30 days after the date the municipality's first full fiscal year begins after the date of the adoption election Signup and view all the answers

How many members are on the commission?

3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length for the members of the commission?

3 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for a person to be appointed to the commission?

Be of good moral character, be a United States citizen, be a resident of the municipality who has resided in the municipality for more than 3 years, be over 25 years of age, and not have held a public office within the preceding 3 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the penalty for the chief executive of a municipality if they knowingly or intentionally fail to appoint the initial members of the commission within the 60-day period?

A fine of not less than $100 or more than $200 Signup and view all the answers

What is the punishment for an offense under this subsection?

A fine of $100 Signup and view all the answers

When can a commission member be automatically suspended from office?

When found guilty of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude Signup and view all the answers

What must a commission adopt regarding the conduct of commission business?

Rules necessary for the proper conduct of business Signup and view all the answers

Who has the authority to remove a commission member guilty of misconduct in office?

The governing body of the municipality Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a commission member is found guilty of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude?

They are automatically suspended until disposition of the charge Signup and view all the answers

What action does the governing body take if a commission member pleads guilty to a criminal offense involving moral turpitude?

The governing body appoints a replacement member for the term Signup and view all the answers