J.A.V., CSC Docket No. 2022-1407

BackgroundJ.A.V. appeals his rejection as a Sheriff’s Officer candidate by the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Sheriff’s Officer (S9999A) on the basis of psychological unfitness to perform effectively the duties of the position.

This appeal was brought before the Medical Review Panel (Panel) on April 27, 2022, which rendered its Report and Recommendation on May 2, 2022. No exceptions were filed by the parties.

The report by the Panel discusses all submitted evaluations. The Panel concluded that the test results and procedures and the behavioral record, when viewed in light of the Job Specification for Sheriff’s Officer, indicated that the appellant was psychologically unfit to perform effectively the duties of the position sought, and therefore, the action of the appointing authority should be upheld. Accordingly, the Panel recommended that the appellant be removed from the subject eligible list.

CONCLUSION

The Job Specification for the title of Sheriff’s Officer is the official job description for such county positions within the Civil Service system. According to the specification, Sheriff’s Officers are involved in maintaining order and security in a courtroom, serving court processes, criminal identification, ballistics and investigation, and the apprehension of criminals. Examples of work include the field and office work necessary to serve and execute warrants, writs, court orders, summonses, subpoenas, and other documents directed to the Sheriff; making arrangements for the sequestering of juries; guarding and transporting prisoners; testifying in court; collecting monies to satisfy legal debts as ordered by the court; taking fingerprints; analyzing, indexing and classifying according to the F.B.L version of the Henry System; examining bullets and fragments to determine the make and caliber of weapons involved in crimes; testing fired weapons in evidence and comparing test bullets with those on the crime scene; conducting criminal and other special investigations; locating and apprehending violators of the law; conducting classes related to departmental functions; operating a variety of communication equipment; providing security at public functions and county facilities; and conducting search and rescue operations.

Having considered the record, including the Job Specification for Sheriff’s Officer and the duties and abilities encompassed therein, and the Panel’s Report and Recommendation issued thereon, and having made an independent evaluation of the same, the Civil Service Commission accepts and adopts the findings and conclusions as contained in the Panel’s Report and Recommendation.

ORDER

The Civil Service Commission finds that the appointing authority has met its burden of proof that J.A.V. is psychologically unfit to perform effectively the duties of a Sheriff’s Officer and, therefore, the Civil Service Commission orders that his name be removed from the subject eligible list.

ClosingThis is the final administrative determination in this matter. Any further review should be pursued in a judicial forum.