[Adopted 2-8-1977 (Ch. 9, Art. II, Div. 2, of the 1977 Code)]
There is hereby established a Sheriff's Department Merit
Commission.
[Amended 10-14-1986 by Ord. No. 86-92]
The Sheriff's Department Merit Commission shall be composed
of five members appointed by the Sheriff and approved by the County
Board.
[Amended 10-14-1986 by Ord. No. 86-92[1]]
The members of the Sheriff's Department Merit Commission
shall serve for six years upon their appointment. Unless the County
Board specifically indicates otherwise, the term of each member shall
begin on the first day of May following his appointment and shall
end on the 30th day of April.
[Amended 10-14-1986 by Ord. No. 86-92]
No more than three members appointed to the Sheriff's Department
Merit Commission may be affiliated with the same political party.
Vacancies in the membership of the Sheriff's Department
Merit Commission by reason of death, resignation or removal shall
be filled by the appointment of a successor to the unexpired term
in office then remaining. The Sheriff, with the approval of a majority
of the members of the County Board, shall appoint a suitable person
to serve the unexpired portion of that Commissioner's term. If the
Sheriff fails to appoint a person to fill the vacancy within 30 days,
the Chairman of the County Board shall appoint a person to fill the
unexpired portion of the term, with the approval of a majority of
the members of the County Board.
The members of the Merit Commission shall receive such compensation
for their services, and reimbursement for reasonable and necessary
expenses incurred, as may be fixed by resolution of the County Board.
However, in no event may the amount of per-diem compensation established
for members of the Merit Commission exceed the per-diem received by
the members of the County Board.
[Amended 5-12-1987 by Ord. No. 87-05-107]
Pursuant to recognized merit principles of public employment,
said Commission shall promulgate rules, regulations and procedures
for the operation of said merit system governing all deputies and
correctional officers, other than special deputies and those persons
appointed by the Sheriff to the position of Chief Deputy Sheriff or
to the administrative assistant position commonly known as "jail superintendent,"
employed on a full-time basis in the office of the Sheriff. Said Commission
shall administer said merit system for the purposes of appointment,
promotion, discipline and discharge.
As soon as practicable after appointment, the members of the
Merit Commission shall meet and shall organize by selecting a Chairman,
Vice Chairman and a Secretary from its membership. Meetings of the
Merit Commission shall be held quarterly and as may otherwise be called
by the Commission. Three members of the Merit Commission shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business. The Merit Commission shall
keep and maintain a record of its meetings and the business conducted
therein in a form directed by the County Board.
[Added 10-14-1986 by Ord. No. 86-92]
Within 10 days of each meeting of the Merit Commission, the
Secretary shall file a copy of the minutes of the meeting with the
County Clerk. The Secretary shall also file with the County Clerk
a current copy of all regulations promulgated by the Commission.
The Merit Commission is authorized to employ such clerks and
technical assistants as may be necessary to transact its business
and to fix their compensation as provided in the Stephenson County
budget.
A.
In the administration of the merit system, the Merit Commission shall
have the power to secure by its subpoena the attendance and testimony
of witnesses and the production of books and papers, both in support
of any charges heard by the Merit Commission and in defense thereto.
Each member shall have the power to administer oaths.
B.
In case of the refusal of any person to obey a subpoena issued by
the Merit Commission, any Circuit Judge, upon application by the Merit
Commission, may order such person to appear before the Commission
and give testimony or produce evidence, and failure to obey such order
is punishable by the Court as contempt thereof.
C.
The powers herein contained shall not be limited to those herein
stated but shall be in addition to such powers as may be included
within the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission.
