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WARREN -- The Warren Civil Service Commission has scheduled a promotional exam for the next Warren police chief and for an open sergeant's position for Dec. 16. It set the deadline for applicants to apply for both openings at 4 p.m. Dec. 7.
At the commission's special meeting Friday morning, it also set oral assessments for the candidates for police chief for Jan. 25 and 26. And it approved the reference materials the candidates will study for both positions and approved Clancy & Associates to administer both examinations.
The police chief's position became vacant when former police Chief Eric Merkel resigned July 9, effective Aug. 24, after an officer under his command filed a complaint with the city, alleging that Merkel tampered with records, committed theft in office and sent a text message containing a racially offensive image to the officer under his command.
Merkel later tried to rescind his resignation, but the city refused to honor the request. Merkel later asked the Warren Civil Service Commission to restore him to his position as chief, alleging that the resignation was forced. But the commission also refused the request.
Civil Service Commissioner Dan Letson said after Friday's meeting that the test would normally be open only to captains in the Warren Police Department who have two years in that position, but only one of them has at least two years in the position – Capt. Rob Massucci, who is also acting police chief.
As a result, the chief's test also will be open Warren Police lieutenants who have at least two years in their position. A test cannot be given to just one captain. At least two people must compete for the position, Letson said.
Something similar happened the last time a Warren police chief exam was given in 2013. That time, Merkel, then a lieutenant, competed for the position, as did Rob Massucci, then a lieutenant; and Capt. Janice Gilmore. Merkel scored the highest and became chief.
Currently, the police department has two captains, Massucci and Bryan Holmes, but Holmes has only been a captain since last month. He was elevated to that position because of the retirement of Capt. Jeff Cole in April.