This bill amends the process for appointing eligible law enforcement officers in West Virginia following competitive examinations. Specifically, it modifies the number of candidates that the Civil Service Commission must certify from a maximum of three to five individuals. The appointing officer is required to notify the commission of any vacancies and request the certification of eligible candidates, who are ranked based on their performance in examinations held within the last three years. The bill also introduces a provision allowing hiring agencies to select from a smaller pool of applicants if the number of ranked candidates is less than five.

Additionally, the bill maintains the existing procedures for objecting to candidates and the process for striking names from the eligible list after repeated rejections. It emphasizes that each appointment must be made separately, even when multiple positions are being filled simultaneously, and establishes a probationary period of one year for new appointments. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the appointment process while ensuring that a broader range of candidates is considered for law enforcement positions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-14-15