5.3.
| CC Regular Session |
| Meeting Date: | 05/26/2026 |
| Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: | Strive for high organizational morale and employee retention |
Title:
Authorization to Promote a Community Service Officer to Patrol Officer
Purpose/Background:
The purpose of this case is for the City Council to authorize promoting a Community Service Officer/Law Enforcement Program Student to a Patrol Officer. This position was discussed at the May 12, 2026, work session. The City Council directed staff, via consensus, to move ahead with promoting a current Community Service Officer to Patrol Officer.
Hiring a Patrol Officer in 2026, versus waiting until 2027 was determined to be the best course of action in order to retain a vetted Patrol Officer candidate and meet a preferred training schedule. The Police Chief confirmed the staffing request planned for 2027 to request a new Patrol Officer will be rescinded. The Community Service Officer position left vacant by this promotion will remain vacant until January 2027 or thereafter, depending on the recruitment process.
At this time, Madison Spah has been selected for promotion. Ms. Spah has passed the necessary updated pre-employment background checks and is recommended for promotion to Patrol Officer, contingent upon passing the Post Board eligibility test in the coming weeks. As an LELS union employee, Ms. Spah will be subject to a one-year probationary period, the LELS contract and the Personnel Policy.
The purpose of this position is maintaining order, keeping the peace and responding to citizens' needs by discouraging crimes through high-visibility policing, investigative capability and the subsequent reporting and apprehension of suspected violators of the law. The position reports to the Police Sergeant.
Hiring a Patrol Officer in 2026, versus waiting until 2027 was determined to be the best course of action in order to retain a vetted Patrol Officer candidate and meet a preferred training schedule. The Police Chief confirmed the staffing request planned for 2027 to request a new Patrol Officer will be rescinded. The Community Service Officer position left vacant by this promotion will remain vacant until January 2027 or thereafter, depending on the recruitment process.
At this time, Madison Spah has been selected for promotion. Ms. Spah has passed the necessary updated pre-employment background checks and is recommended for promotion to Patrol Officer, contingent upon passing the Post Board eligibility test in the coming weeks. As an LELS union employee, Ms. Spah will be subject to a one-year probationary period, the LELS contract and the Personnel Policy.
The purpose of this position is maintaining order, keeping the peace and responding to citizens' needs by discouraging crimes through high-visibility policing, investigative capability and the subsequent reporting and apprehension of suspected violators of the law. The position reports to the Police Sergeant.
Funding Source:
The funding required to promote Ms. Spah is included in the 2026 budget.
Recommendation:
To promote Ms. Madison Spah to a full-time Patrol Officer, effective on or near July 1, 2026, at $39.698 per hour, which is step 1 of the 2026 wage scale, contingent upon Post Board eligibility.
Outcome/Action:
Motion to promote Ms. Madison Spah to a full-time Patrol Officer, effective on or near July 1, 2026, at $39.698 per hour, which is step 1 of the 2026 wage scale, contingent upon Post Board eligibility.
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Brian Hagen | 05/21/2026 11:54 AM |
- Form Started By:
- Colleen Lasher
- Started On:
- 05/13/2026 04:20 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 05/21/2026