Law Enforcement Merit System Council

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council adopts rules for the Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Police Officer Standards and Training Board that pertain to:

1. classification and compensation plans 

2. standards and qualifications for all classified positions 

3. fair and impartial selection, appointment, probation, promotion, retention and separation or removal from service by resignation, retirement, reduction in force or dismissal of covered employees 

4. a performance appraisal system which is used to evaluate the work performance of covered employees 

5. hearings of employee grievances related to classification, compensation and employee appraisals

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council adopts rules for all Arizona State Agencies that have a AZPOST certified full-authority police officer in a covered position that requires the certification, in regards to the procedures for the conduct of appeal hearings connected to suspension, demotion, reduction in pay and loss of accrued leave of covered employees.

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council consists of five members nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to serve three-year terms. Members are chosen on the basis of experience in and sympathy with merit principles of public employment.

Meet the Council

Teri L. Mingus

Teri Mingus has been involved in public service for more than 35 years in different capacities. She is a retired sworn law enforcement officer after servicing for 25.5 years with the City of Detroit (Michigan) Police Department (DPD), advancing five ranks during her tenure. During her Law Enforcement career, Ms.Mingus attended and graduated the FBI National Academy (Session 203) and Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command. After retiring from the DPD, Ms. Mingus moved to Arizona and worked for the City of Mesa Police Department at the Mesa Family Advocacy Center as a Victim Advocate/Community Educational Outreach Facilitator, providing services and resources to victims of crime and their families.

Ms. Mingus has a master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Human Services and Counseling, a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary/Justice Studies, as well as her Post-Bachelor in Elementary Education. She is a Certified Forensic Interviewer, Elementary (K-8) educator, Crisis Interventionist and Certified AZ POST Instructor.

Ms. Mingus has been a volunteer with the State of Arizona, Dependent Children’s Services Division since2003 as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). In this capacity she advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court and other settings.

Ms. Mingus was appointed to the Law Enforcement Merit System Council in March 2016 and is the current Council Vice-Chair. Ms. Mingus currently works with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) as an Independent Consultant/Lead Facilitator for the Law Enforcement Victim Advocacy Program.

Ed Novak

Ed Novak is a shareholder of Polsinelli PC and has been in private practice in Arizona since 1979. Mr. Novak currently serves on the board of a veterans' homeless shelter. He has served on the board of the Arizona School for the Arts, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the ASU Art Museum, and other charitable organizations. 

Mr. Novak is the chair of the Arizona Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. Mr. Novak is a past state bar president and adjunct ethics professor. Mr. Novak's legal practice involves both civil and criminal litigation representing both individuals and companies. He has represented companies and their employees in government investigations, state agencies, and officials in civil and criminal investigations, lawyers and judges in discipline investigations, and individuals in personal injury matters. 

Mr. Novak was appointed to the Law Enforcement Merit System Council in May 2021 and is a member of the Council. 

Rick Salyers

Mr. Rick Salyers served 33 years of active duty and reserves for the United States Marine Corp, retiring as a CW05 in August 2005.  In 1990 was selected as Company Grade Officer of the year.  During his service, he was deployed many times. Desert Shield/ Desert Storm, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In Operation Iraqi Freedom he served with I Marine Expeditionary Forces as a Counterintelligence/HUMINT Officer. His primary mission was to combat insurgency and terrorists.  Awarded 42 medals and ribbons. Bronze Star, Navy Commendation medal with “V” for Valor, President Citation Combat Action ribbon and more.

Mr. Rick Salyers served as a member of the Phoenix Fire Department for 33 years from 1981 until his retirement in 2014.  As a Captain/Paramedic assigned to the City of Phoenix’s Homeland Defense Bureau, Mr. Salyers served as their Intelligence Program Manager.  He was also the Director of the Terrorism Liaison Officer (LTO) Program for the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC), which is Arizona’s fusion center.  This position oversaw all law enforcement and fire department LTO personnel in Arizona.  Mr. Rick Salyers was awarded the ACTIC Director’s Award.  He was also inducted into Arizona’s Firefighter’s Hall of Fame in 2015.

In July 2016, Mr. Salyers was appointed to the Law Enforcement Merit System Council and reappointed in 2020. He currently serves as a board member.

Richard K. Walker

Rick Walker has advised and represented corporate clients - including numerous Fortune 500 corporations - on a national basis for over forty years. As a partner in some of the most prominent national firms in the U.S., he earned a sterling reputation for adept handling of complex litigation, including cases with highly complex technological issues and class action suits, and for his penetrating analyses and innovative strategies. Mr. Walker has also successfully represented employers in the full range of labor and employment law and is well-known for defending employers against claims brought under whistleblower protection laws. He has also represented large classes of New York City police officers in litigation where their promotions were threatened by employment discrimination class actions brought by other officers.

Mr. Walker is a former tenured law professor who taught courses in civil procedure, employment discrimination, labor law, and evidence, and he is a member of the bars of Arizona and the District of Columbia. He has spoken and written extensively on litigation and employment subjects.

Mr. Walker was appointed to the Arizona Law Enforcement Merit System Council in August 2015 and is the current Council Chair.

Honors

Litigation Counsel of America (Fellow, 2011-present); Southwest Superlawyers (2005-2008: Employment & Labor; 2009-present: Business Litigation); The Best Lawyers in America (2005-present; Labor and Employment Law); Arizona’s Finest Lawyers (2011); Marquis Who’s Who in American Law; Marquis Who’s Who in America; Marquis Who’s Who in the World; National Registry of Who’s Who; American Registry of Outstanding Professionals; Strathmore’s Who’s Who. Mr. Walker is Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent 5.0 of 5 peer review rated.

Contact the Law Enforcement Merit System Council

Instructions for telephonic meetings

For Instructions to call in for a telephonic meeting, call the LEMSC office at (602)223-2286 or email the LEMSC office at [email protected]. The appropriate call in number and access code will be provided.

Public Meeting Minutes

The Public Meeting Minutes will be available for inspection upon request at the LEMSC Office within three working days of each meeting. 

Mail:

2102 W. Encanto Blvd.

MD 1290

Phoenix, AZ 85005

Phone:

(602) 223-2286

Fax:

(602) 223-2096

Business Manager:

Major Jennifer Pinnow

[email protected]

Administrative Assistant:

Julie Reeves

[email protected]

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council’s current rulemaking activity is provided pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1021.02 to allow the public to view all proposed rulemaking as well as final rulemakings that either become effective at a future date or have not been published in the Arizona Administrative Code.

Current Rulemaking:

- The Secretary of State's Administrative Register

- The Arizona Administrative Code

- The Governor's Regulatory Review Council

Julie Reeves, AA
Phone: 602-223-2286
Fax: 602-223-2096
E-mail:  [email protected]

Mailing Address:

Law Enforcement Merit System Council
Attn: Julie Reeves
Mail Drop 1290
P.O. Box 6638
Phoenix, AZ 85005-6638

2023

Public Meeting Minutes

The Public Meeting Minutes will be available for inspection upon request at the LEMSC Office within three working days of each meeting. 

LEMSC Meeting Decision 1/31/2023 

2022

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/29/2022  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 10/25/2022  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 9/27/2022  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 8/30/2022  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 7/12/2022  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 6/7/2022  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 4/26/2022  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 3/29/2022  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 1/25/2022  

2021

LEMSC Meeting Decision 12/2/2021  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/30/2021  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/26/2021  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 9/28/2021  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 6/29/2021  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 5/25/2021  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 4/27/2021

LEMSC Meeting Decision 2/23/2021  

LEMSC Meeting Decision 1/26/2021  

2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/23/2020 

LEMSC Meeting Decision 10/27/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 09/29/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 08/18/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 06/23/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 05/26/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 04/28/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 04/07/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 03/11/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 02/25/2020

LEMSC Meeting Decision 01/28/2020

2019

LEMSC Meeting Decision 10/29/19

LEMSC Meeting Decision 09/06/19 

LEMSC Meeting Decision 06/24/19

LEMSC Meeting Decision 06/11/19

LEMSC Meeting Decision 05/23/19

LEMSC Meeting Decision 05/14/19

LEMSC Meeting Decision 03/26/2019

2018

LEMSC Meeting Decision 12/13/18

LEMSC Meeting Decision 09/25/18

LEMSC Meeting Decision 08/07/18

LEMSC Meeting Decision 06/26/18

LEMSC Meeting Decision 04/25/18

LEMSC Meeting Decision 01/30/18

2017

LEMSC Meeting Decision 12/22/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/28/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 10/31/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 9/26/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 8/29/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 6/27/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 5/30/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 4/25/17 

LEMSC Meeting Decision 3/28/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 03/21/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 02/07/17

LEMSC Meeting Decision 01/31/17

2016

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/29/16

LEMSC Meeting Decision 10/31/16

LEMSC Meeting Decision 09/27/16

LEMSC Meeting Decision 08/30/16

LEMSC Meeting Decision 06/27/16

LEMSC Meeting Decision 05/12/16

LEMSC Meeting Decision 04/21/16

LEMSC Meeting Decision 03/22/2016

LEMSC Meeting Decision 01/26/2016

2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 12/03/2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/16/2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 10/21/2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 9/28/2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 8/17/2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 6/08/2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 04/22 04/23 04/27, 2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 03/25/2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 02/12/2015

LEMSC Meeting Decision 01/26/2015

2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 12/02/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/17/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 10/14/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 9/16/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 7/24/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 6/17/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 6/05/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 5/06/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 3/06/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 2/10/2014

LEMSC Meeting Decision 1/16/2014

2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 12/13/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 11/21/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 10/25/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 9/23/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 9/4/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 6/17/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 6/04/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 5/09/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 4/22/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 3/22/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 2/08/2013

LEMSC Meeting Decision 1/28/2013

2012

LEMSC Meeting Decision 12/04/2012

2021

MSC# 2020-01-A Dryer vs. AZPOST - Withdrawn

MSC#2021-02-A Shaw vs. AZDPS- Withdrawn

MSC# 2021-01-G Phillips vs. LEMSC Business Manager Decision - Withdrawn

MSC# 2021-02-G Raphael vs. LEMSC Business Manager Decision - Withdrawn

MSC# 2022-01-A Fraser vs. AZDPS 

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council adopts rules for the Department of Public Safety, the Arizona Police Officer Standards and Training Board and for all Arizona State Agencies that have AZPOST certified full-authority police officers in a covered position that requires the certification. Procedures for the conduct of appeal hearings connected to termination, suspension, demotion, reduction in pay and loss of accrued leave can be found in the applicable section of LEMSC Rules.

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council also adopts rules for the Department of Public Safety and Arizona Police Officer Standards and Training Board with regards to: Classification and Compensation; Employment; Assignments; Employee Leave; Grievances; Separation from Employment; and Retirement System Eligibility.

Annual Tentative Calendar

The LEMSC Meetings for December 15, 2022 and December 27, 2022 are cancelled.

The LEMSC Meeting for July 26, 2022 is cancelled.

The LEMSC Meeting for June 28, 2022 has been moved to July 12, 2022.

The LEMSC Meeting for May 31, 2022 has been moved to June 7, 222.

The LEMSC Meeting for February 22, 2022, Is cancelled.

The LEMSC Meeting for December 28, 2021, is cancelled.

The material submission dates apply to DPS personnel only.

The LEMSC Meeting for March 30, 2021 is cancelled

The July 27, 2021, public meeting is cancelled.

Pursuant to ARS 38-431.03(A)(3), the Council has scheduled an executive session on July 27,2021, at 0930 hours via video conference, which will not be open to the public.

The Council will discuss or consult for legal advice with the LEMSC attorney on issues concerning the Council. 

August LEMSC Meeting Change

The LEMSC Meetings for August 25, 2021 and August 31, 2021 are cancelled.

The October 26, 2021, public meeting is cancelled

Persuant to ARS 38-431.03(A)(3), the Council has scheduled an executive session on October 26, 2021, at 0930 hours via video conference, which will not be open to the public. 

The Council will discuss or consult for legal advice with the LEMSC attorney on issues concerning the Council.

2-2022 Applying for a Higher Paying Position Externally While On Initial Probation  

1-2022 Exam Challenges Regarding the Business Manager's Decision  

1-2000 Intermittent Employees

1-2002 Prosecutorial Review

1-2005 Appeals to the Council

1-2008 Internal Lists

1-2010 Promotional probation - Uncovered Appointment

1-2018 Observation and Compensation for State Holidays

1-2019 Employee Eligibility for Pay Step Increase

2-2000 Probationers 

2-2005 120-Day Time Clock

2-2019 Employee Eligibility for Promotional Examination or Offer

3-2000 Periodic Testing