Selmer Officials Look at Hiring Process for Officers
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After weeks of being at odds, Selmer officials voted to implement a new hiring process for police officers. “In my veto, all I asked is that the hiring process go forward,” said Selmer Mayor David Robinson. At last month’s meeting, aldermen voted to rehire former Selmer Police Officer Michael Gilbert as a part-time officer. Mayor Robinson vetoed their decision 10 days later. Authorities said Gilbert was terminated a year ago amid allegations he assaulted his wife. The charges were later dismissed. Mayor Robinson asked Gilbert go through a hiring committee then in place. Most of the Selmer aldermen felt they should have the authority to rehire Gilbert as a part-time officer, without him undergoing the scrutiny of a hiring committee. Although no mention was made of Gilbert initially at the Tuesday’s meeting, the board voted all police officers seeking employment be screened though a committee consisting of five or six police officers. Their selections would then be passed to a hiring committee consisting of the mayor, vice-mayor, chief of police, assistant chief and two lieutenants. The motion passed with one alderman voting against it. “It just wasn’t a well-written resolution in my opinion and I don’t think the alderman of Selmer ought to be in the HR Department,” said Alderman Chris Tull, the alderman in opposition fo the proposal. “I would prefer that the chief of police be number one and the higher ranking officers as well because they have the background and experience,” said Dennis Jackson, a resident of Selmer. After no mention of Gilbert, his wife stood up in his absence and inquired whether the issue of her husband’s rehiring was on the agenda. Mayor Robinson informed her it was not. “As far as I understand it, he (Gilbert) would need to put in another application,” said Mayor Robinson. Mayor Robinson said the board could at any point, according to the city charter, override his veto.
