CITY LOWERS HIRING STANDARDS FOR POLICE APPLICANTS

New Employment Rules Threaten Integrity of SAPD, May Conflict with State Law

San Antonio, TX – Today, the San Antonio Police Officers’ Association sent a letter to Mayor Nirenberg asking that he direct the Fire Fighters’ and Police Officers’ Civil Service Commission to reverse their recent changes to Civil Service Commission Rules concerning police officer employment conditions. On November 13, 2018, the Commission adopted Final Order 2018-28, which lowers employment (hiring) standards for prospective San Antonio Police Officers. As such, they have put the safety of current police officers and the general public at risk.

“We’ve seen the results of neighboring law enforcement agencies that lowered their standards and paid the price,” said Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers’ Association. “I don’t want San Antonio to go down that road, and I ask Mayor Nirenberg to direct the Commission to reverse their decision.”

This year, the Bexar County Sherriff’s Department suffered through twenty-four (24) arrests of members of their department for various criminal activities. They are now raising hiring standards. The City of San Antonio is going in the opposite direction. Here are just some of the changes adopted by the Commission:

• 13 (c) – Admission to using hallucinogenic drugs including, but not limited to LSD, STP, or Psilocybin, i.e.; “Dropping (Acid)” is no longer a permanent disqualifier if committed by applicants nineteen (19) years or younger;
• 14 (f) – Removes mandatory number of years that an applicant must wait after admission to class A and B misdemeanors;
• 14 (i) – Admission of a FELONY prior to age 20 is no longer a disqualifier (This rule change may conflict with Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) guidelines, which mandate that a Felony prior to age 20 disqualifies someone from holding a Peace Officer’s license, a necessary requirement for any Police Officer in the State of Texas.)
• 14 (j) – Admission to DELIVERY (sale) of Controlled Substance prior to 20 years old is no longer a disqualifier; and
• 14 (l) – Admission to certain levels of FAMILY VIOLENCE is no longer a permanent disqualifier.

We urge concerned Citizens to contact Mayor Nirenberg and their City Council Member and tell them to repeal Civil Service Commission’s Final Order 2018-28.

Download Final Order Number 2018-28[/ABs_button]

Download SAPOA Letter to Mayor[/ABs_button]

Download Press Release[/ABs_button]

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Tell Mayor Nirenberg and your City Council Member how you feel.

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