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Item # 5.4. <br />Elk ~~ <br />"'"'`'~` MEMORANDUM <br />fiver <br />TO: Mayor & City Council <br />FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator <br />DATE: November 8, 2010 <br />SUBJECT: Discuss Police Chief Selection Process <br />Last Monday, Chief Jeff Beahen submitted his notice of retirement effective November 28. <br />At an upcoming meeting we will have an opportunity to formally recognize Chief Beahen for <br />his many years of dedicated service to the City. In the meantime it is important that the <br />process to select a new chief begin as soon as possible. If a new police chief is not in place <br />prior to Chief Beahen's retirement, an interim chief should be appointed. <br />Of course, when determining the selection process, the highest priority is to get the right <br />person for the position. The person who fits well with the department, has experience in a <br />leadership position in a police department, and will be dedicated to serving our residents, <br />among other qualifications. In reviewing selection process options, the first option that <br />comes to mind is dete+~+r~n~ng whether there are internal candidates who could fill the <br />position. I believe there are eligible, skilled, and very capable internal candidates who would <br />serve the City with professionalism and expertise as the City's next chief. There is no legal <br />requirement for the City to advertise this position; therefore, although the Council may <br />choose to open this position to external candidates, it is not required. The promotion of an <br />internal candidate could be accomplished with no disruption to the operation of the police <br />department, and the position could be filled before Chief Beahen's retirement or shortly <br />thereafter. If the position is advertised, it will be at least four months before a new chief <br />could begin. <br />Further, as with other position vacancies, it creates an opportunity to review the <br />organizational structure to see if there are changes needed to improve the operation of the <br />department and the City. Chief Beahen, Captain Rolfe, Captain Kluntz and I have discussed <br />structural changes and have decided that the current structure works well and should remain <br />in place. <br />Finally, as I stated earlier, in this case I firmly believe that we have individuals well suited to <br />this position within our own department. Therefore, I recommend that we post the position <br />internally first to fill this position. If we are unable to fill the position internally, the position <br />could subsequently be opened to external candidates. <br />N:\Public Bodies\City Council\Lori\2010\Police Chief Memo 11 8 l0.docx <br />