Council untables police chief nomination; personnel committee to investigate under charter rules

The Lawrence City Council voted to untable and send to the Personnel and Administration Committee the confirmation of Captain Maurice (Mauriz) Aguilar as nominee for police chief, with council leaders citing the city charter's referral requirements.

Under the council's action, the matter will be investigated by the personnel committee before the full council takes a confirmation vote. The referral followed a written legal opinion pointing to Section 3.7 of the Lawrence City Charter, which directs the council to refer such candidates to the standing personnel committee for investigation and a report "no less than 7, no more than 21 days" after referral.

Why it matters: The council's referral initiates the formal review timeline required by charter and pauses any immediate full-council confirmation, giving the personnel committee a window to interview, investigate and recommend action.

At the meeting several public speakers and union representatives urged quick confirmation. Rich Russell, a resident at 34 Cross Street, told the council, "Please finally put the police chief's selection to bed so we can start this fiasco all over again with the fire chief," and argued that professionalism should outweigh politics in senior hires. Brenda Rosie, 127 Chester Street, said, "We've been without a qualified police chief for far too long. Please confirm Captain Aguilar as our new police chief." Mike Samar, representing Superior Officers, Lawrence Police Department Local NEPBA 145, said the union "pledge[s] our full support to Captain Aguilar as our next chief." James Russo, also representing superior officers, described Aguilar as "hardworking, honest" and noted his background as a licensed attorney and supporter of accreditation.

Council President Rodriguez read aloud a memo the council received from attorney Timothy Hooten asserting that the charter's use of the word "shall" creates a mandatory referral and recommending that the item be untabled and referred so the personnel committee can comply with the 30-day timeline for council action. The council chair said the item would be sent to the personnel committee and that the committee would set interview and investigation dates.

Discussion vs. decision: The council's action was procedural — the nomination was untabled and formally referred to the personnel committee for the investigation required by Charter §3.7. No full-council confirmation vote on the nomination occurred at the meeting.

What comes next: The personnel committee will schedule interviews and investigate the nominee, then report back to the full council within the statutory time window so the council can proceed to a confirmation vote.