Mayor schedules March 23—625 meet-and-greets for police chief finalists; council presses for interview role

Mayor James Mayhew told the Public Safety Committee on March 16 that finalist activities for the police chief recruitment will span three days and include internal interviews, business-owner and community meet-and-greets, and a council meet-and-greet so all seven council members can interact with candidates.

Several council members said they want more than a meet-and-greet and asked that representative council members participate on formal interview panels. Council member Holloway emphasized the stakes of meaningful review, saying he has, in two prior cases, advised the mayor against particular choices that were nevertheless made and later "proved very detrimental to the city." Holloway said council participation on interview panels and the opportunity for post-interview discussion would help avoid repeating past mistakes.

Mayor Mayhew said his intent is to poll council members individually after the meet-and-greet to gather advice and views before making an appointment, and he asked the council to tell him what format would be most useful. City Attorney Dina Burke recommended noticing the meet-and-greet as a special meeting to address Open Public Meetings Act posting requirements so the public can attend while allowing the council to select its preferred format.

Next steps: the mayor said he will clarify calendar dates and follow up by email; council members requested the issue of "meet-and-greet options" and council panel participation be added to the full council agenda for discussion.