Du Quoin: 'Lateral' hires could speed up getting new police, firefighters on the job

Du Quoin's police and fire departments will soon be able to hire qualified applicants from other departments, ultimately cutting the amount of time between when a new officer or firefighter is hired and when they are ready for full duty.

With the support of Fire Chief David Durkota and Police Chief Steve Ingram, the Du Quoin city council on Monday supported the initial reading of an ordinance allowing a "lateral transfer policy." The policy is on display on city hall for the public to read, and is expected to be approved at the Feb. 10 council meeting.

A "lateral" transfer refers to a police officer or firefighter from one community who applies for a job in a different community. They have already gone to academy and been field trained, and probably had on the job experience, meaning their new employer would not have to wait for all that to be done.

The idea of lateral transfers between departments has is gaining in popularity, and Carbondale and Murphysboro have signed on.

Historically, municipalities have found new police officers and firefighters by keeping lists of eligible candidates who have passed physical and knowledge tests, as well as had mental health screenings. Both departments will continue to test appolicants and keep those eligibility lists, explained Ingram.

All hires, whether they be from the eligibility list or from lateral moves, are subject to the same standards and are subject to approval by the city merit board.

"(Lateral transfers) give us another options to hopefully find qualified candidates," Ingram said.

One of the appealing aspects of lateral transfers, both he and Durkota said, is how much quicker a new hire can be on the street - as much as six months, Durkota added.

New fire department hires, he said, have to attend the state fire academy, which is only in session at certain times. Once they complete that, there's field training to be done.