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Council discusses police‑chief selection and high‑level policing priorities; seeks transparency and internal inclusivity
Summary
Council discussed guidance for the city manager’s police‑chief recruitment and confirmation process and broader policing priorities (visibility, response times, recruitment/retention, training, and community outreach). Council favored a nonbinding advisory panel and public meet‑and‑greets for finalists while preserving the city manager’s hiring authority.
Councilor Van Ness led a discussion on the council’s expectations for confirmation of the next police chief. Under the city charter the city manager is responsible for hiring, subject to council approval; Van Ness and others asked for transparent criteria and suggested a nonbinding advisory selection committee that could include citizen representatives and two retired, qualified law‑enforcement advisors to advise the city manager during recruitment and interviews.
City Manager West said his intent is to develop a strong slate (three finalists), hold public meet‑and‑greet interviews similar to the city‑manager search and allow department staff and the public to weigh in. Councilors asked that posting language be reviewed so it does not inadvertently exclude internal candidates and that the process prioritize retention and expanded candidate outreach (including women and nontraditional law‑enforcement leaders). Several sworn officers present urged the city to keep internal pathways available and asked for phased education and professional development commitments tied to recruitment.
Council did not take formal action but asked the city manager to review the posting and to consider a transparent advisory process so council and the community have visibility without supplanting the city manager’s authority.
