Authorizes Jonathan Myers to take the civil service examination for the position of police officer and be placed on the eligible list for employment as a civil service police officer for the village of Chatham

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Hinchey

Allows Jonathan Myers to take the civil service police officer exam and be eligible for the Chatham PD, despite standard eligibility rules.

REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

Summary of Bill S 10254 (2025-2026 Session) — New York

Purpose and intent

The bill authorizes Jonathan Myers, a part-time police officer employed by the village of Chatham in Columbia County, to take the competitive civil service examination for the position of police officer and to be placed on the eligible list for appointment as a civil service police officer for the village of Chatham.

It explicitly overrides certain age-related or other eligibility restrictions in current civil service law to allow Myers to participate in the examination process.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1: Notwithstanding existing Civil Service Law Section 58 (including any age requirements in subdivision 1, paragraph (a)) or other contrary law, Jonathan Myers may:

Take the competitive civil service examination for the position of police officer.
Be eligible, contingent upon his examination score, to be placed on the eligible list for appointment as a civil service police officer with the village of Chatham Police Department.

Section 2: Jonathan Myers shall be subject to the merit and fitness requirements applicable to civil service police officers under the Civil Service Law.

Section 3: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiary: Jonathan Myers, currently a part-time village of Chatham police officer.

Indirectly affected: The village of Chatham Police Department and its personnel processes, including eligibility determinations based on civil service examinations and merit/fitness standards.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: May 8, 2026.

Action history: Referred to the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Pensions.

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment (as stated in Section 3).

The bill does not modify existing statutory eligibility criteria for other candidates beyond permitting Myers to compete and be placed on the eligible list, subject to his examination performance and merit/fitness requirements.

Practical impact and considerations

The bill creates a targeted exception to general civil service eligibility rules by allowing a specific incumbent (Jonathan Myers) to participate in the competitive examination process for a police officer position.

If Myers scores well on the exam, he could be placed on the eligible list and considered for appointment as a civil service police officer, subject to standard merit and fitness determinations.

This type of measure is typically used to address unique qualifications, status, or continuity considerations for a particular employee seeking a civil service appointment.

The policy implications center on balancing individualized accommodation with uniform merit-based appointment practices.