Amason v. City of El Dorado

Steele Hays, Justice.

The primary issue here is whether the Arkansas civil service statutes for policemen and firemen require that a vacancy in the office of chief of police must be filled by promotion from within the ranks of the police department. The trial court correctly held that our statutes contain no such requirement.

In January, 1983, the Chief of Police of the City of El Dorado resigned. The El Dorado Civil Service Commission promptly advertised for applicants having “at least ten years experience in law enforcement.” There were six candidates, five of whom were employed by the El…