KBIA Local
(2008-07-15)
Listen Now:
COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
The seventeen members of the Police Chief Advisory Committee are from different backgrounds representing neighborhood associations, higher education, and city politics. City Manager Bill Watkins says the group will discuss the qualities they want in the new police chief such as experience, skills, and education.
null
First on the group's agenda is selecting a recruitment firm to find candidates. At the committee's first meeting yesterday, members expressed concern about firms that favor political insiders and also hiring firms the city has used in the past. City Manager Bill Watkins says he'd like a firm that has Midwestern experience. He says hiring a firm has several advantages.
One, you're really looking for somebody, who maybe isn't currently looking for employment. So you need somebody who has credibility within the profession, who can go out and sell Columbia to prospective candidates.
Watkins says the committee should choose one of three recruitment firms by August first with a view to hiring a police chief by the end of the year. Some aspects of the hiring process will be open to the public.
After thirty years with the Columbia Police Department, former Chief Randy Boehm recently retired to take a job as head of securities for University Health Care.
Maureen McCollum, KBIA News
© Copyright 2012, KBIA
