AUBURN -- The next round of firefighters and police officers hired by the city will not come from other agencies. The Civil Service Commission on Thursday did not approve the city's request to allow for lateral transfers as it hires new employees for the police and fire departments.

City Manager Mark Palesh, along with Fire Chief Mike Hammon and Police Chief Gary Giannotta, requested that civil service temporarily allow the city to hire fully-trained firefighters and officers directly from other departments. Normally, people are chosen and trained from a list of candidates who have passed the proper tests.

According to the city officials, lateral transfers would save tens of thousands of dollars in overtime costs and bring experienced employees to the departments. New hires would not have to undergo months of training at an academy, and they would be ready to work on line and on the streets from day one, Hammon and Giannotta told the commission.

But commissioners told city officials they could have avoided issues with overtime by hiring people last year. And Chairman Robert Welch said he did not want to see these jobs go to people outside of the community, when there are local candidates who are ready and willing.