Lawrence committee hears dispute over police chief search as consultant, committee still not finalized

The Lawrence City Personnel Committee on Jan. 22 heard sharply worded complaints about the city’s search for a permanent police chief, with councilors and police department staff describing confusion and poor communication between the mayor’s office, the city attorney’s office, human resources and the police department.

Committee members were told an outside consultant has screened roughly 30 applicants down to about 14, but the seven‑member search committee described in the mayor’s August press release had not been finalized and therefore had not begun the formal committee interviews that would produce finalists for the mayor to consider.

Why it matters: Councilors said the slow, opaque process has undercut confidence in city management and delayed filling a post they say is central to public safety and departmental accreditation. Committee members voted to retable the agenda item for further updates and requested the mayor to appear at a future meeting.

City Attorney Hulin told the committee he has no independent knowledge of day‑to‑day scheduling for the search and that he relays information as provided by the mayor’s office. “If the…