Just days after a police captain whose wife is the department chief pleaded guilty to a federal assault charge, the City of Tonawanda is considering a new policy that would prohibit employees from supervising or auditing a relative or companion on the job.

Members of the Tonawanda Common Council discussed the proposed policy during an informal meeting Tuesday night. The policy would impact employees who work with relatives closer than second cousins, as well as spouses and significant others.

The policy would apply to new employees, and any current workers serving with a similar situation would be grandfathered in.

Despite the timing of the policy, officials say it is not related to the case of police Capt. James G. Litz, who pleaded guilty last week to assaulting a handcuffed prisoner. The case could bring Litz up to 10 years in prison.

Litz is married to Tonawanda Police Chief Cindy Young, who attended his court appearance last week.

Young took a leave of absence after the indictment against Litz was brought forth two weeks ago. Council President Carleton Zeisz said there are no indications when Young would return to the job. Litz has already filed for retirement.

“I’ve had [this issue] on my list for I don’t know how long,” Zeisz said of the nepotism policy. Zeisz noted the policy was dormant for a few years before the newly elected Council brought it back to the forefront when it took office in January.

“It’s only a coincidence,” Alderman Charles Gilbert said. “We should do something, and quickly.”

Gilbert also wants the Council to consider a new drug-testing policy for seasonal employees. He proposed making potential employees pay for their own test during the interview process.

There would also be random testing afterwards that would be covered by the city, unless the employee fails and would have to pay the fee.

The Council may bring the new policy to a vote during its meeting Tuesday.