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Amarillo staff outlines police‑chief search plan; consultants, community panels and timeline discussed
Summary
Deputy Freeman told the council the city received 10 RFP responses for recruitment assistance, shortlisted firms and expects to finalize an agreement to begin the search; planned steps include a community engagement process, stakeholder panels and public meet‑and‑greet opportunities, with a target hire by year‑end or January.
Deputy Freeman briefed the Amarillo City Council on June 10 about the planned recruitment for a permanent police chief. He said the city issued an RFP in late March, received 10 responses, narrowed to three firms and expects to finalize an agreement with a consultant to run a structured search.
Freeman said the recruitment will emphasize stakeholder engagement: internal staff input, a community panel, surveys and opportunities for the public to meet finalists in a "meet and greet" format. The consultant will vet candidates, conduct background checks and provide a recommended shortlist (six to eight candidates narrowed for city consideration). Ultimately the city manager will nominate a candidate who would require council confirmation under state law.
Council members asked about privacy for applicants and whether finalists would be publicly introduced; Freeman said finalists would be introduced in a way that protects applicant privacy during initial screening but that the city expects to host public meetings for finalists before any appointment.
Timing: Freeman said he hopes to have the firm under contract within a few weeks and to complete a hire by the end of the year or in early January, depending on candidate availability and notice periods.
The council asked staff to provide periodic updates during the search and to bring information on stakeholder engagement opportunities so the public can participate.
