City of Dubuque changing process to hire police and firefighters

The city of Dubuque is changing how it processes applications for police officers, cutting out the Civil Service Commission and allowing qualified applicants to interview faster. The city also modified the collective bargaining agreement with the Dubuque Police Protective Association to allow seasoned police to transfer to the local department and apply their experience for better pay than recruits fresh out of the academy. The faster interview schedule reduces the chance new recruits miss a window to one of the Iowa police academies. Under the policy change, the Dubuque Police Department will offer the written and physical examinations required by law, on demand, rather than the Civil Service Commission setting quarterly testing dates. After an applicant takes the written test, department officials will score the exam so recommendations can be made to human resources for a conditional offer of employment. The streamlining will benefit the Dubuque Fire Department, as well.