4.6 Promotions

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Centreville Police Department
Title: Promotions Directive #: 4.6
Issued: 10.1.2016 Revised: 3.16.2017
Approved by: Charles M. Rhodes, Jr.
Chief of Police
A. Authority
1. All promotions shall be made by the Chief of Police in accordance with provisions in the Town of
Centreville Personnel Manual and the guidelines specified elsewhere in the Department Manual. No
personnel will be considered for promotion unless a vacancy exists in the current rank structure or
additional positions are authorized by the Town Council.
B. Requirements
1. After a position becomes vacant or an additional position is authorized by the Town Council, the following
procedures will be followed:
a. The Chief of Police will determine, according to a specific rank vacancy, which officers are eligible to
be considered for promotion according to the minimum length of service requirement.
(1) Officers are eligible for promotion after completing the minimum years of service required for the
following ranks, which includes time in grade as a Police Officer.
(a) Officer First Class - Satisfactorily completion of two years sworn law enforcement service, with
a minimum of one of those years being with the Department after successful completion of
probation.
(b) Corporal –Eligible upon satisfactory completion of five years sworn law enforcement service,
with a minimum of three of those years being with CPD. The officer must also have been
promoted to the rank of Officer First Class to be considered for promotion to Corporal.
(c) Sergeant – Eligible upon satisfactory completion of eight years sworn law enforcement service,
with a minimum of six of those years being with CPD on the date the promotional examination
is scheduled. This will include one year of service at the rank of Corporal.
(d) Lieutenant - The rank of Lieutenant is an “exempt position” and reports directly to the Chief of
Police. The following criteria will be used to determine if current Department employees are
eligible to be considered for this position:
Officers will be eligible to be considered for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant if they have
completed ten years of sworn law enforcement service, with a minimum of eight of those
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years being with CPD on the date the promotional examination is scheduled. This will
include one year of service at the rank of Sergeant.
If there are no eligible or suitable candidates for promotion within the Department, the Chief
of Police in conjunction with the Town Council, will advertise and hire a qualified candidate
from outside of the Department.
2. Any officer under suspension, indictment, or investigation will not be eligible to participate in the
promotional process.
C. Criteria for Promotion to Officer First Class and Corporal
There is no written or oral promotional process for the rank of Officer First Class or Corporal. Criteria for the
promotion to the rank of Officer First Class and Corporal is based upon the completion of the required years
of service, satisfactory job performance, and the recommendation of the employee’s supervisor. The
supervisor will forward his recommendation to the Chief of Police, at least thirty days prior to the date the
employee will have completed his required years of service. All such promotions, however, are contingent on
the approval of the Town Council, and the availability of adequate funding.
D. Promotional Process for the Rank of Sergeant and Lieutenant
1. The promotional process for the rank of Sergeant and Lieutenant includes participating in a written test,
an oral interview board, and a supervisory recommendation based upon the employees performance
evaluation.
2. Written Examination
a. The written examination will consist of questions derived from CPD policies and directives, Maryland
Motor Vehicle Law and Maryland Criminal Law.
b. A passing score of 80 % is required to move on to the Oral Interview Board
2. Oral Interview Board
a. The board will be convened at a time and place directed by the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police
shall appoint the chairman of the board, and the board shall consist of no less than three officers,
including the chairman. At least one member of the board shall be the same rank as the promotional
candidate.
b. Each member of the Oral Review Board will be provided with a sample interview format so that each
candidate appearing before the board will be asked the same general questions.
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c. The results of the Oral Interview Board will be mailed to each candidate immediately after the Chief of
Police reviews the interview forms and compiles the final interview scores. The Chief may elect to
notify the candidate directly if this is more desirable and expeditious at the time.
d. The appearance and demeanor of the candidate will be a contributing factor. No candidate is
authorized to contact any member of the oral review board regarding their action and all information
discussed during the review is termed confidential. No member of the Interview Board is authorized
to disclose the results of any results of any vote or discussion as to candidates appearing before the
board, except as provided.
E. Qualifications
1. The results of the oral interview board are only advisory to the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police will
review this information along with other various factors to select the best possible candidate(s) for
promotion. Once a candidate(s) have been selected, the Chief of Police will notify the Town Council of his
decision for final approval. The promotions will be made if approval is received from the Town Council
and adequate funding is available.
2. The remaining candidates may be eligible for promotion at the recommendation of the Chief of Police,
should an additional vacancy occur within one year. Should no further vacancy occur, a new promotion
process will be required for all eligible candidates.
F. Required Training for Supervisors
All officers promoted to a supervisory or administrative rank are required to undergo Supervisory and/or
Administrators training as required by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission. Failure to
satisfactorily complete the required supervisory or administrative training within 12 months of date of
promotion may result in the officer returning to the rank from which he was promoted and salary adjusted to
the last permanent rank held.
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