Date: Fri 30-Aug-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-sergeant-esam

Full Text:

Fifteen Patrol Officers Seek Advancement To Sergeant

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Fifteen patrol officers have signed up to take an examination for police

sergeant, according to Police Chief James Lysaght, Jr.

The sergeant's vacancy comes with the recent retirement of Sergeant Klaus

Ertl, who worked at the police department for 26 years.

Currently, Martin Pytko and John Qubick serve as sergeants, and Michael Kehoe

and Raymond Thompson work as acting sergeants.

Chief Lysaght said he has been working with Nancy Markey, the town's director

of human resources, in organizing an examination for the sergeant's post. The

town plans to hire a firm to help it design a test for the applicants.

The town requires that applicants have served as police officers for at least

five years before taking the sergeant's exam.

The three highest-ranking candidates based on the test results will be

referred to the Police Commission for consideration for the promotion. The

commission will select the new sergeant.

A police sergeant must have a good knowledge of state law, police policy and

procedures, as well as have good communications skills, Chief Lysaght said. A

sergeant needs technical expertise in the area of investigations, he said.

Going from a patrol officer to a sergeant results in a change in perspective

in the officer promoted, he said.

Fifteen patrol officers stating they want to take the test for sergeant

indicates the town has a police department with members who have been

preparing for advancement, he said.

Chief Lysgaht said he expects the test will be given on or about November 18.

He said he hopes the vacancy can be filled as soon as possible after the test.

Acting Lieutenant Henry Stormer, president of the Newtown Police Union, said

that besides the vacancy created by Sgt Ertl's resignation, five other police

officers, including four supervisors, have reached the 25-year vesting period

for full retirement benefits from the police department.

Although it's unclear when the five officers might retire from the department,

they could do so at any time, depending upon various circumstances, Acting Lt

Stormer said. The police officers who are now eligible for full retirement

benefits are those who began work when the department was in its formative

stages, the police union president said.

Of anticipated personnel changes in the police department's chain of command,

Acting Lt Stormer said "It's good for the organization. It keeps people

moving."

The last sergeant's test given in Newtown was in 1988.