RESOLUTION
WHEREAS there are certain tests that applicants to the Chicago Police and Fire Departments must undergo in order to gain entrance to the respective academies; and
WHEREAS those tests include a psychological evaluation which asks certain questions that pertain to the use and knowledge of firearms; and
WHEREAS the purpose of the tests is to determine whether an applicant is fit and qualified to serve the citizens of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS not all applicants have the same experiences when it comes to the use of firearms; and
WHEREAS the portion of the population that has served in the United States military will necessarily answer the questions pertaining to firearms differently than those individuals who are members of the civilian population; and
WHEREAS the United States is engaged in past and current conflicts around the world where numerous service members have been stationed; and
WHEREAS service members have returned home to Chicago with unique and valuable skills and training which could be beneficial to the Chicago Police Department, Fire Department, and the citizens of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS these service members may never have the opportunity to utilize their skills as members of the Police Force or Fire Department because of their truthful answers to questions on the entrance exams involving firearms; and
WHEREAS the tests were likely not drafted with past military service in mind; and
WHEREAS residents of the City of Chicago who served our nation should not be excluded from serving the citizens of this City because of that service; and
WHEREAS it is necessary that the City of Chicago assess the purpose and nature of the entrance exams to the Police and Fire academies and determine whether those tests unnecessarily exclude veterans and if so whether a different or modified test should be administered to those applicants who served in the United States Military; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO that the City Council, through its Committee on Public Safety, conduct hearings exploring the entrance testing of the Police and Fire Departments, as well as the training provided to entrants, and whether there should be any modifications to these procedures for veterans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee on Public Safety invite appropriate representatives of the Chicago Police Department and Fire Department to testify concerning the testing procedures and officer training; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that invitations to testify be extended to appropriate representatives of the veteran community, in addition to such other persons as the Committee may determine to be appropriate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all of the foregoing be done with a view toward developing recommendations to the Police and Fire Departments with respect to their testing and training with respect to veterans.