1. The commission, when necessary under the rules, including minimum and maximum age limits, which shall be prescribed and published in advance by the commission and posted in the city hall, shall hold examinations for the purpose of determining the qualifications of applicants for positions under civil service, other than promotions, which examinations shall be practical in character and shall relate to matters which will fairly test the mental and physical ability of the applicant to discharge the duties of the position to which the applicant seeks appointment. The physical examination of applicants for appointment to the positions of police officer, police matron, or fire fighter shall be held in accordance with medical protocols established by the board of trustees of the fire and police retirement system established by section 411.5. The commission shall conduct a medical examination of an applicant for the position of police officer, police matron, or fire fighter after a conditional offer of employment has been made to the applicant. An applicant shall not be discriminated against on the basis of height, weight, sex, or race in determining physical or mental ability of the applicant. Reasonable rules relating to strength, agility, and general health of applicants shall be prescribed. The costs of the physical examination required under this subsection shall be paid from the trust and agency fund of the city.
2. The commission shall establish the guidelines for conducting the examinations under subsection 1 of this section. It may prepare and administer the examinations or may hire persons with expertise to do so if the commission approves the examinations. It may also hire persons with expertise to consult in the preparation of such examinations if the persons so hired are employed to aid personnel of the commission in assuring that a fair examination is conducted. A fair examination shall explore the competence of the applicant in the particular field of examination.
3. All appointments to such positions shall be conditional upon a probation period of not to exceed six months, and in the case of police patrol officers, police dispatchers, and fire fighters a probation period not to exceed twelve months. However, in cities with a population over one hundred seventy-five thousand, appointments to the position of fire fighter shall be conditional upon a probation period of not to exceed twenty-four months. During the probation period, the appointee may be removed or discharged from such position by the appointing person or body without the right of appeal to the commission. A person removed or discharged during a probationary period shall, at the time of discharge, be given a notice in writing stating the reason or reasons for the dismissal. A copy of such notice shall be promptly filed with the commission. Continuance in the position after the expiration of such probationary period shall constitute a permanent appointment.
[SS15, § 1056-a32; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, § 5696; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, § 365.8; C75, 77, 79, 81, § 400.8]
89 Acts, ch 187, § 2; 93 Acts, ch 147, § 2; 94 Acts, ch 1071, §1
Referred to in § 400.11
Iowa General Assembly
Search: Iowa Code 1995
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