Both of the current "acting" chiefs were appointed by former Mayor James Ruberto.The title kept through the administration of Mayor Daniel Bianchi, who had pushed to get the city away from the Civil Service altogether, which he felt was inefficient.
Now she is expected to make a permanent appointment within months after going through the Civil Service process. The city held an assessment center on Sept. 27 during which three in-house candidates participated. Tyer says once Civil Service certifies the list, she'll act quickly in making an appointment.
"We don't have the results back. Even though we are using assessment centers for our upper ranks, it is still a Civil Service process," Tyer said on Thursday. "I think we should probably have something by the end of this month."
The issue has plagued the city for years with numerous calls for a more permanent hiring. In 2014, the Charter Review Commission crafted language in transitioning to the new charter specifying that steps be taken "immediately" for the hiring.
Bianchi disapproved of the Civil Service and put in motion a study committee to consider alternative options. That committee spent months looking into it and was ultimately torn, with union representatives opposing moving away from Civil Service and others wanting a new option. But nobody opposed the use of assessment centers to better judge candidates.
The assessment centers take a deeper examination of a candidate by putting him or her through a half dozen or so real-life exercises. That takes the place of a written test. This year, the City Council approved $26,000 to run assessment centers for the top three ranks in the Police and Fire Departments.
The city contracted with Pocasset-based Public Safety Consultants to run the assessments. Tyer said the outside consultant consists of public safety experts who score the exam independently. The company then submits the results to the Civil Service Commission.
The mayor said she will not know the actual scores. Civil Service will certify the results and provide a ranking of three candidates.
"All three candidates were from inside the department ... I want to see the rankings and whoever scores at the top will receive greater attention from me," Tyer said.
Tyer said she is confident with the three candidates because she wants to make sure the chief understands the community. She is not planning on doing any further interviews and is just waiting until the list is released. She did not reveal the names of the candidates.
"There won't be a long delay," she said. "Within two weeks [of receiving the results] I'll know what my decision is."
Public Safety Consultants have a three-year contract, valued at $45,500, to run the top three positions in both the Fire and Police Departments. The next slate of tests will be later this month for captain and lieutenant in the Police Department -- both on Nov. 13.
Tyer said her focus is on getting the Police Department ranks solidified first and then move to the Fire Department because "law enforcement is such a key component."
Director of Personnel Michael Taylor said the deputy chief and captain examinations for the Fire Department are scheduled on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6.
Tyer cited the new patrol officers recently hired and emphasized the need for a stable command structure in the Police Department.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Pittsfield Man Identified as Victim in Alleged Murder
PITTSFIELD, Mass — A man found dismembered in a barrel in Greenfield on Monday has been identified as Pittsfield resident.
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office identified victim as Christopher Hairston, 35, and subsequently arrested a suspect, Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 42, at Albany (N.Y.) International Airport on Tuesday.
He was detained overnight and Massachusetts State Police obtained an arrest warrant on single count of murder Tuesday morning. It is unclear when Herberger-Brown will be returned to Massachusetts for arraignment on the murder charge.
According to the Greenfield Recorder, the suspect was arrested on a murder charge after investigators discovered Hairston's hand and part of a human torso at Herberger-Brown's former apartment, located at 92 Chapman St.
According to a report written by State Police Trooper Blakeley Pottinger, the body was discovered after Greenfield Police received reports of a foul odor emitting from the apartment along with a black hatchet to the left of the barrel, the news outlet said.
The outlet reported that during the investigation, Herberger-Brown allegedly told investigators that the victim's "heart stopped" toward the end of a physical altercation with the victim after he had broken into his apartment and that he believed the victim to be on drugs.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death.
Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
click for more
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
click for more
Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
click for more
The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
click for more