October 21, 2025
Police Department
DATE: October 21, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Sharrone Taylor, Director of Human Resources
Bisa French, Chief of Police
Subject:
Contract with Donnoe & Associates, Inc. for Promotional Testing for Police Officers
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $40,000 expenditure is included within the approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Police Department
budget (Account String: 01191021-400201).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond Police Department is seeking
approval to use an experienced firm to manage and
administer their promotional testing and examination
process for Police Sergeants, Police Lieutenants and
Police Captains.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a contract with Donnoe & Associates, Inc. for
Police staff promotional exam creation, administration, and ranking for a total amount not to exceed $40,000 for the period October 29, 2025, through October 28, 2026 – Police Department/Human Resources Department
(Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6602/Chief Bisa French 510-
621-1802).
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department has current vacancies in the Police Sergeant, Police Lieutenant, and Police Captain rank and seeks approval to use Donnoe & Associates, Inc. to confirm the promotional aptitude within each rank (Attachment 1).
AGENDA
REPORT
October 21, 2025
Department staff put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to find an outside vendor with experience in exam creation, administration, and ranking, for similar positions (Attachment 2). The RFP opened on July 19, 2023, and closed on August 17, 2023, in accordance with the City’s purchasing guidelines. A total of 215 vendors were notified, and four vendors met the qualifications. Of the four, Donnoe & Associates, Inc. was awarded the bid according to their rankings in the following categories: background, proposal, and cost (Attachment 3). Of a possible 200 points, Donnoe & Associates, Inc. received 200 points, whereas CPS HR Consulting received 165 points and Morris & McDaniels received 125 points.
The 2023 RFP sought a three-year contract but the original contract was only assigned a one-year term based upon the needs at the time. However, given recent needs, staff is seeking approval to complete the original three-year term contemplated in the original 2023 RFP.
Donnoe & Associates, Inc. has been providing personnel selection consulting services for government agencies since 1987. They offer a wide array of services, including written testing, assessment centers, executive recruitment, job analysis, validation studies, and psychological assessment. Their commitment to quality, fairness, and outstanding service makes them a reliable choice for public agencies.
Given their extensive experience and specialized services tailored for law enforcement, Donnoe & Associates, Inc. stands out as the ideal partner for the Richmond Police Department's promotional testing needs. Their proven track record and dedication to excellence ensure that the department will receive high-quality, fair, and effective assessment services, ultimately enhancing the department's operational efficiency and effectiveness.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original Contract
Attachment 2 – Request for Proposal (RFP)
Attachment 3 – Donnoe & Associates Proposal