New rules imposed for Shawnee County Civil Service Board

The three-member board that decides promotions in the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office must now interview applicants for those at least twice a year.

That requirement was among revised rules for the Shawnee County Civil Service Board that County Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer voted 3-0 to approve Monday.

Sheriff’s Maj. Jay Simecka thanked those involved afterward for their “engagement, decisiveness and response action” in getting the rules revised, which he described as being “a truly collaborative effort.” The county’s Civil Service Board — which consists of Aaron Mays, Gary Ross and Matthew McGivern — seeks to ensure Shawnee County provides qualified, professional law enforcement. Its duties include ensuring benefits and protections for sheriff’s officers with the rank of major and below, and arranging for the most qualified officers to receive promotion to the ranks of corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and major.