By Ivan Moreno
Rocky Mountain News (Denver)
Copyright 2006 Denver Publishing Company
Aurora voters were deciding on a batch of proposals that would change the role of the five-member Civil Service Commission.
The most contentious of the proposals, 2A, would transfer the responsibility of screening and hiring police and firefighters from the commission to the city’s human resources office.
Early results showed voters rejecting 2A.
Supporters of 2A argued that the current hiring system is outdated and rigid. They said the proposal was aimed at giving the police and fire chiefs greater control and flexibility over whom they hire.
But opponents said the proposals would lower the standards for hiring and that the Human Resources Department would not be as thorough as the Civil Service Commission.
The Aurora City Council voted to put the four proposals on the ballot in July after police Chief Daniel Oates and fire Chief Casey Jones voiced their support to modify the commissioners’ responsibility.
The police and fire unions mounted a tough campaign to defeat the proposals. The Aurora Police Association spent $120,000, while the Aurora Fire Fighters Protective Association spent $300,000 to convince voters to preserve the status quo.
State law prevented Oates and Jones from campaigning for the measures.
The other proposals:
Question 2B would amend the City Charter to allow the chief of police to promote qualified lieutenants to the rank of captain if they scored within five points of the highest score.
Under the current system, promotions within the police department from lieutenant to captain are based on who scores highest on a civil service test. Early results showed voters rejecting 2B.
Question 2C would amend the City Charter to allow the City Council to remove a member of the Civil Service Commission. It would also reduce the commissioners’ terms from six years to three and would limit commissioners to three consecutive terms.
Question 2D would extend fire and police probationary periods following a promotion from six months to 12 months.