EXAMINATION INFORMATION
DATE: TBD
TIME: TBD
PLACE: TBD
TYPE: The examination will consist of two components, a Written Technical Knowledge Test and a future Assessment Center. Applicants must present a government-issued ID at each portion of testing. Each of these components is described below:
NOTE: When the dates and times of the examination have been determined, An Amended Bulletin will be released.
Written:
Technical Knowledge Test: The Written Examination will be a Closed-Book test consisting of multiple-choice questions designed to assess candidates’ understanding of job-related technical knowledge determined to be important to the effective performance of the Cleveland Division of Police Lieutenant position based on the job analysis results. Questions will be developed based on the information contained in the knowledge source subsections outlined in the Reading List. The allocation of items among the knowledge source subsections will be based on the job analysis results.
The written test items will be designed to assess candidates' understanding of job-related technical knowledge that the job analysis indicates must be memorized, so no reference materials will be allowed for use in the Written Examination.
No electronic communication devices (e.g., pagers, telephones, tablet devices, laptops, smartwatches, smart glasses etc.) will be allowed at the Written Examination administration site.
When the Written Examination answer key is finalized following the resolution of submitted challenges, the Written Examinations will be scored, and a minimum passing cut-score will be applied to determine those applicants receiving a passing score. Only those deemed to have received a passing score on the Written Examination will progress to the Assessment Center.
Assessment Center:
Interview - The Interview Exercise is designed to evaluate the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to job-related topics and situations. The questions are designed to elicit responses that reveal the candidate’s competencies in areas critical to successful job performance.
The candidate will be asked to respond to a series of questions relevant to a Lieutenant in the Cleveland Division of Police. Candidates will be given a set amount of time to answer each question. All candidates will be asked the same questions and provided with the same amount of time to respond, ensuring a fair and standardized evaluation process.
Critical Incident - The Critical Incident Exercise is designed to evaluate the candidate’s ability to effectively manage complex and dynamic law enforcement incidents. It assesses areas such as tactical decision-making skills, command presence, knowledge of departmental policies and procedures, ability to prioritize actions under pressure, capacity to adapt to changing circumstances, etc.
Candidates will be given a set amount of time to answer scenario of the evolving critical incident exercise. All candidates will be asked the same scenarios and the same amount of time to respond, ensuring a fair and standardized evaluation process.
Based on the job analysis of the Cleveland Division of Police Lieutenant position, the Assessment Center exercises will be designed to allow for an assessment of such competencies as: communication, interpersonal interactions, analyzing and deciding, managing activities, leadership, and adaptability.
Candidates will NOT be permitted to bring any knowledge sources identified on the Reading List nor any other documents to the Assessment Center site. Any knowledge sources or other documents that might be needed to respond to the Assessment Center exercises will be made available to candidates at the test administration site.
Applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the Assessment Center via e-mail after the Written Test is completed. That notice will be sent to their City of Cleveland email address.
THE USE OF THE FOLLOWING DURING THE EXAMINATION WILL BE PROHIBITED: ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICE (E.G., SMART GLASSESS, SMART WATCHES, EARPHONES, EARPLUGS, CALCULATORS, RADIOS INCLUDING DEPARTMENTAL RADIOS, PAGERS, TAPE RECORDERS, TAPE PLAYERS), AND SCRAP PAPER. APPLICANTS BRINGING THE AFOREMENTIONED ARTICLES TO THE EXAMINATION SITE WILL HAVE THEM CONFISCATED.
WAIVER OF RULES
4.40-BPASSING GRADE
The waiver of this Rule will allow the Civil Service Commission to set the minimum passing score based on acceptable testing criteria.
4.40-D Training and Experience
An applicant’s education, training, and/or practical experience that qualifies them for admission to an examination shall be assigned a value equal to seventy percent (70%), or such other percentage as determined by the Commission, of the total weight allocated to this examination component.
When an applicant has education, training, or experience beyond the minimum requirements, additional credit may be awarded. This extra credit will be based on the amount of additional qualifying education, training, or experience, up to a maximum limit established for the examination.
Credit may be awarded for education, training, and experience obtained within or outside of governmental service. All credit for education, training, and experience must be supported by information provided in the candidate’s application, either at the time of filing or through subsequent supplementation approved by the Commission.
4.40-E Veteran’s Preference Credit
Veterans’ preference credit shall apply to any open competitive examination. An applicant who has served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States for a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days may be eligible for veterans’ preference credit upon submission of a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) verifying length and character of service. Applicants who received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions shall receive five (5) additional points.
Applicants who are currently serving on active duty may receive the same credit upon submission of official documentation verifying active service status. Applicants who are honorably discharged and have a service-connected disability rating of fifteen percent (15%) or greater shall receive ten (10) additional points. Veterans’ preference points shall be added to the applicant’s examination score. Required documentation must be submitted at the time of application in order to qualify for such credit. If it is later determined that an applicant does not meet the required discharge or eligibility criteria, the Commission may revoke veterans’ preference credit and take appropriate action, including removal from the eligible list, in accordance with applicable rules.
APPLICABLE RULES
The following Rules will be applicable to this examination, for a copy of the Rules please visit the Civil Service website Civil Service Commission | City of Cleveland Ohio:
1.80 Notification via Electronic Means
Any of these Rules that require notification or service via ordinary, registered, or certified U.S. Mail to any person or entity, including but not limited to applicants, eligibles, employees or others, such notice may be provided via electronic means, including email sent to the last email address provided to the Commission and/or staff.
3.40 Minimum Qualifications
Prior to the announcement of each competitive or non-competitive examination, the Commission shall determine the minimum qualifications to be established for entrance to such examination. The minimum entrance qualifications shall be made part of the examination announcement and published as required in these rules. Following the publication of an examination announcement, no deviation from or modification in the minimum entrance qualifications shall be permitted for individual applicants except by action of the Commission whereupon a new publication of the examination announcement shall be made as herein before provided. The minimum entrance qualifications shall include, where appropriate, the requirements set forth in Rules 3.41 through 3.45 inclusive.
4.20-A Written Examinations
A written examination may be either computerized or traditional pencil-paper and may include all or part of the following: An objective type of examination designed to test the applicant’s familiarity with information and material which could reasonably be expected of applicants for the position; standard knowledge or aptitude tests; and written responses on one or more subjects dealing with problems encountered within the classification.
4.20-B Performance Examination
A performance examination may include such test of performance as will determine the ability and manual skill of applicants to perform the work involved within the classification.
4.30 Conducting Examinations
Examinations shall be conducted by Commission staff examiners and, when appropriate, the Commission may designate special examiners as their designee. Applicants shall be required to provide proof of identity prior to admission to any written, performance, physical, medical, psychological, or oral examination.
Where identification requires the production of documentation, notice of such requirement shall be included in the examination announcement. Refusal to provide the required proof of identity shall be cause for exclusion from the examination. Whenever time limits are established for the completion of an examination or any part thereof, notice of such limits shall be provided at the beginning of the examination or applicable portion.
No applicant shall be admitted to a written examination after the scheduled commencement time. Applicants scheduled for performance or oral examinations must be present at the appointed time in order to participate.
Any applicant who attempts to gain an unfair advantage during an examination, including assisting themselves or others through communication with other applicants or use of unauthorized materials, shall be dismissed from the examination and disqualified. Any applicant who fails to appear for any part of an examination shall be excluded from further consideration.
Individual examination types shall be conducted in accordance with Rules 4.30-A through 4.30-F.
4.40-A Weights
Written Technical Knowledge Test – 40% of final grade
Assessment Center – 60% of final grade
4.40-C Seniority Credit
Where applicable, applicants who achieve passing scores on promotional examinations shall receive additional credit for seniority. Seniority credit shall be based on all regular service in classifications that are lower in rank and within the direct line of promotion.
Seniority credit shall be calculated as follows: one percent (1%) of the total possible examination score for each of the first four (4) years of qualifying service, and six-tenths percent (0.6%) of the total possible score for each of the next ten (10) years of qualifying service.
Service in the Armed Forces of the United States shall be credited toward seniority where such service interrupts regular City employment. No additional credit beyond this provision shall be granted for military service.
Time not credited toward seniority shall include, but is not limited to, leaves of absence other than military leave, time lost due to disciplinary action, and any period during which the employee is not on the City payroll, including absence without leave (AWOL) or layoff.
4.50 Appeal of Examination Questions & Answers
Following a written examination, the questions and answer key used for scoring will be available to applicants upon written request for three (3) working days. During this period, applicants may submit a written challenge to any answer they believe is incorrect, along with supporting evidence. After this period, no changes or amendments will be accepted. All challenges will be anonymous and will be reviewed by the Commission. If the Commission determines that a revision is warranted, the final answer key will be updated accordingly. Only the final answer key will be used for scoring.
Applicants may request to review their graded examination and submit a written request to correct any clerical errors within three (3) working days of grade notification. This period begins on the day following the issuance of the notification. All requests must be submitted in writing and in accordance with the established guidelines. Grade notifications may be issued by email, U.S. Mail, or any other method deemed appropriate by the Commission. Clerical errors may be corrected by Commission staff with Commission approval. After the review period has ended, any additional requests for review or grade changes must be approved unanimously by the Commission. Examination materials are not subject to public inspection without a unanimous vote of the Commission.
NOTE: There will be a review period for the Technical Knowledge Test only. A Divisional Notice will be issued indicating the time and manner of that review period. The review time for challenges will be limited to a maximum total of two hours for each applicant.
NOTE: Any applicant protesting a question or answer will have to submit his/her protest in writing on the approved Civil Service Objection Form. All protest forms must be turned in upon the applicant’s completion of the review period. No objection forms will be accepted: 1) before or after the review period, or 2) at any location other than the location designated for review. Anyone who does not follow the instructions on the objection form will lose the right to their objection. The Commission shall not entertain any objections other than those on the approved form.
NOTE: Applicants will be required to give their examination identification number, rank of examination applied for, printed name, and signature on the Civil Service Objection Form. Applicants who do not provide this information will not have their protests addressed.
NOTE: All properly submitted challenges will be reviewed and considered by the examination consultant, who shall submit their determination of the results to the Civil Service Commission staff for review and approval. Once approved by Commission staff the answer key will be final. Approval of the final eligible lists will constitute the approval of the Civil Service Commission of such items.
4.90 Preservation of Papers
Examination materials, including answer sheets, shall be retained by the Commission in accordance with the applicable record retention schedule and for at least the duration of the eligible list. For examinations administered by a third-party testing service, an/or designee, the retention, ownership, and release of examination materials shall be governed by the terms of the testing agreement and applicable law. Certain materials, including answer keys and test content, may be restricted or not subject to release.
5.10 Establishment of Eligible List
From the returns of each competitive examination, the Commission shall prepare and keep open to public inspection, an eligible list of the persons whose grades in the examination are not less than 70.00% and who are otherwise eligible. Such persons shall be notified and take rank upon the eligible list or lists in the order of their relative grades. The grade of any applicant failing to qualify shall not be made public
5.11 BREAKING OF EXAMINATION TIE SCORES
In a promotional examination, should two (2) or more applicants receive the same grade, seniority in the classification from which the promotion is sought shall determine the order in which their names shall be placed on the eligible list.
A. If the applicants are still tied after the aforementioned seniority has been considered, then the grades received by the applicants in the examination from which appointments to the grade or rank from which promotion is sought shall be used to determine the order of placement on the eligible list.
B. If the applicants are still tied after all lower ranks have been considered, then rank will be determined by random selection.
6.80 Probationary Period
The probationary period provided by Section 131 of the Charter of the City of Cleveland is hereby fixed at one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days from the effective date of regular appointment, provided
8.42 Reinstatement of Members of the Uniformed Police and Fire Service
Members of the uniformed ranks of the fire and police departments who have resigned in good standing from their offices or positions, may request in writing the withdrawal of such resignation and may, with the approval of the Commission, the Director of Public Safety and the Chief of the department concerned, be reinstated to the position of firefighter or patrol officer respectively in the department from which such officer resigned. Said request for reinstatement must be made within one year from the date of resignation and reinstatement shall not be to a grade or rank above that of a firefighter or patrol officer. An officer or member so reinstated shall not be entitled to seniority credit for service prior to resignation nor shall such service be considered in determining the eligibility of such reinstated member to enter promotional examinations.
NOTE: Seniority will be computed as of September 14, 2026.
Lieutenant of Police Source Materials – Written Examination
Civil Liability in Criminal Justice, 2023, D. L. Ross, 8th Edition. Routledge
Reducing Crime: A Companion for Police Leaders, 2019, Jerry H. Ratcliffe, Routledge
The Police Manager, 8th Edition, 2018, Green, Lynch, & Lynch, Routledge
General Police Orders
Manual of Rules
2026 Ohio Criminal and Traffic Field Guide
CPPA Contract
FOP Contract
