Torrance Municipal Code Art. 3 Police and Fire Departments Generally

(Added by O-588)

All officers and men of the Fire Department and the Police Department shall belong to the classified service and shall be appointed and promoted for no other grounds and for no other reasons than their fitness for the position to be filled; provided, however, that no member of the Fire Department and Police Department shall be eligible for promotion until he shall have served one (1) year in such department. In subsequent promotions, such member must have held the rank from which he is promoted, or have been certified as eligible therefor, at least one (1) year; provided further, however, that there shall be no such requirement for the Assistant Chief of the Police Department to qualify for any vacancy in the office of Chief of the Police Department.

(Amended by O-796; O-3529)

Promotions in the Fire Department and in the Police Department shall be made only from the eligible list. All officers or members below the rank of Chief shall be chosen or promoted by the Chief of the Department whenever a list of eligibles shall be furnished by the Civil Service Commission. In making such an appointment, for all positions other than division heads, the appointing officer must select from one of the three highest names on the list of eligibles and no person appearing on said list may be passed over more than twice in preference to some other appointment.

(Added by O-588)

The cost of conducting examinations and other duties of the Civil Service Board shall be a charge against the general fund of the City. These costs shall be certified by the Civil Service Board and when so certified, shall be paid by the City Council in the same manner as other charges against the City.

(Added by O-249)

It shall be the duty of the Civil Service Board to hold examinations and to administer other suitable tests to those desiring positions, or who are applicants for or who may have been recommended for promotion in, the classified service of the Fire Department and the Police Department, for the purpose of determining their fitness for such positions or their qualification for such promotions. From the result of such examinations and tests, the Board shall prepare a list of eligibles for all positions in the classified service of the Fire Department and the Police Department.

(Added by O-249)

Any person carried on the eligible list for a period of two (2) years without being appointed or promoted shall be dropped from such eligible list and shall not be eligible for appointment or promotion without re-examination.

(Added by O-249)

To the end that there be no disruption in the present service of the Fire Department and the Police Department, and that no undue hardship may be worked upon any member of such departments who shall have attained a certain grade or rank as a result of continuous and faithful service in such departments, all members of such departments shall be credited by the Civil Service Board with a qualifying mark both mental and physical, for entrance to the classified service of the Fire Department and Police Department to the rank, grade or position held by such members at the time of the adoption of this Article; and all members with not less than two (2) years Fire Department service shall be considered as eligible for the position of captain; and all members of such department considered as eligible for the positions of engineer and auto firemen; and all members with not less than two (2) years Police Department service shall be considered as eligible for the position of lieutenant; and all members of such department considered as eligible for the position of sergeant.

(Added by O-249)

No person in the classified service, or seeking admission thereto, shall be appointed, promoted, demoted or discharged or in any way favored or discriminated against because of political opinions or affiliations or because of religious beliefs.

(Amended by O-1982)

The suspension from duty without pay, reduction in rank and discharge of members of the Police and Fire Departments shall be governed by the provisions of Article 1 of this Chapter 4 and Rule XIV of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations (Rules and Regulations supplementing Personnel Ord. No. 326) insofar as the provisions of said Rule XIV are not inconsistent with the provisions of said Article 1.