SOMERS POINT — Somers Point broadened its pool of police officer candidates, exempting qualified entry-level law enforcement applicants from Civil Service requirements.
Councilman Howard Dill said the move in no way removes the city from the Civil Service system.
“It’s only for entry-level people trying to get on the department,” Dill said. “It gives the chief another tool to look at qualified individuals.”
The one caveat, Dill said, is that the applicants already have received their police academy training, removing that cost and others from the city.
“Those people in that category, with the change in the ordinance, would be able to get picked up by Somers Point,” Dill said.
He said the Police Department now can hire candidates who have paid for their training, including uniforms, tuition, ammunition and other incidentals.
Dill said when the city hires a candidate off the Civil Service list, he or she begins collecting a salary and benefits while attending school. That cost also would be eliminated.
He said the city can now get a fully qualified officer for less money, the same way it’s done in towns not part of the Civil Service system. In fact, Somers Point, Egg Harbor City, Margate, Pleasantville, Ventnor and the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office are the only Civil Service communities in the county.
“In Somers Point, we know taxes have gone up over the years and we are trying to keep a lid on taxes,” Dill said. “If we find places to save, we are going to look into it.”
He said promotions within the department would continue to follow the Civil Service system.
“We just want to give the chief an extra tool so he can find the most qualified person out there and save some money,” Dill said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff