Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-16
TESTSFORPOL|CE
ANDF|REMEN NEAR
Promotions to Depend on Re-
suits of Civil Service
Examinations.

One hundred and Seventy-four men,
bers of the Metropolitan Police force
and l52 members of the District Fire
Department will take competitive eX-
aminations at the Civil Service COM
mission Wednesday in an effort to
qualify for promotion to the grades of
sergeant. lieutenant and captain. it was
announced today at the District
Building.
Although Congress decreed in 1919
that all promotions in the Police and
Fire Departments should be made from
eligible lists created by the Civil Serv-
ice Commission. the promotions in the
Fire Department continued to be based
on seniority and fitness. As a result
the forthcoming examination will be
the first in which eligible firemen have
had an opportunity to compete for ad-
vancement in rank
q in Police Tests.
The situation has been somewhat diff
ferent in the police department. al
though only two bona fide competitive
examinations have been held. 1t was
said, to determine promotions since
1921. The first was held in May. 1921.
for priyates seeking promotion to the
rank Of sergeant. The other was held
in December of that year for lieutenants
who were candidates for advancement
to the grade Of captain. Since that
time. however. there have been no bona
fide competitive examinations. To cor
rect tins irregularity. u police officers
who were advanced without taking a
civil service examination we're required
to undergo non-competitive test this
week. which Maj Edwin B. Hesse su-
perintendent of police, said. would not
cause change in their present status.
The District Commissioners and the
Civil Service Commission made an
agreement last October under which all
future promotions in both the Fire and
Police Departments would be based on
the results OF examinations given cam
dioates for advancement. The exami-
nations Wednesday will be the first since
this agreement
Fifteen lieutenants. 80 sergeants and
1877 privates will take the police exami-
nation. There are only three vacancies
In the rank Of sergeant to fll In the
Police Department at this time. All
those who pass, however will have their
names placed on the eligible list. and
vacancies hereafter Will Be hfiled from
this list.
HUuF VACANCIES 70 III.
The Fire Department has four va
cancies. each in the rank of captain,
lieutenant and sergeant, which will be
filled from the eligible list created as
result Of competitive examination.
Fire Chief George, S. Watson also
pointed out that there are several APP
plications for retirement which, II APP
proved. will create additional vacan.
cies 70 be filled from the eligible list.
The examinations for both firemen
and policemen will consist Of mental
tests. practical questions and experience
and fitness. Fifty points will be al
lowed for the latter. and IS each for
mental tests and practical questions.
Under the agreement adopted In Oc-
tober, privates applying for promotion
in either department must have served
az least I'VE years. sergeants, two years
and lieutenants one year. No candidate
viii be admitted TO an examination foI
any grade other than that next higher
10 the grade in which he Is serving on
the date Of the examination.