Possible cheating prompts probe into firefighters exam

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis' mayor has ordered a police investigation into allegations that a firefighter may have illicitly obtained a portion of the firefighters' promotion exam and used it to give others an edge on last month's test.

Mayor Francis Slay has suspended grading of the test over the allegations, which also include prospects that other firefighters tried but failed to get portions of the test.

Slay said Friday he would decide later whether to throw out all or part of the test.

About 50 firefighters took the test for promotion to battalion chief, said William Duffe, the city's personnel director. About 300 firefighters took a similar test for promotions to become fire captains.

The allegations are said to pertain only to the battalion chief's test.

Charles Blockett Jr. Associates, a consultant from Lansing, Mich., administered the tests for battalion chief and captain, Duffe said.

The tests are given about every two years, Duffe said. When a supervisory position becomes vacant, the chief chooses from the three highest scorers on the most recent test, Duffe said.

Fire Chief Sherman George said the department would cooperate with the investigation.

The fire department's promotion tests have long been questioned.