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City outlines police chief recruitment process; consultant-led search, community engagement planned
Summary
City staff described a consultant-led recruitment for Amarillo police chief: an RFP yielded 10 firms, narrowed to one finalist firm to run stakeholder engagement, community surveys, background screening and candidate vetting, with the final appointment requiring council confirmation; staff said a hire could occur by year-end.
City staff provided a status update on the police chief recruitment process and described a community-engaged, consultant-driven search.
Deputy Freeman said the city began the process in March and appointed Jimmy Johnson as interim police chief to allow an orderly search that also gives command staff development opportunities. Staff issued a request for proposals and received 10 responses; the team narrowed that to three and then to a single firm with which negotiations are underway. The recruitment will include a kickoff project meeting with internal staff and then stakeholder engagement targeting council, department staff and community members, including surveys and opportunities for a community panel and meet-and-greet sessions.
Freeman said the consultant will screen and vet candidates with comprehensive background checks and provide a narrowed list of six to eight recommended candidates plus supplemental resumes for council and staff review. The city plans a multi-panel interview process to gather stakeholder feedback; the city manager will make a hiring recommendation that requires council confirmation under state law. Staff said it expects to finalize an agreement with the recruitment firm within weeks and hopes to have a hire by January but said it could be sooner depending on candidate availability. Staff committed to periodic updates to council during the search.
Council members asked about whether finalists would be publicly identified and whether the public would have an opportunity to meet finalists; Freeman said meet-and-greets are planned and that the consultant will help shape stakeholder panels. Council asked for periodic updates on milestones (selection of search firm, candidate panel, community surveys).
