The City of Pasadena has completed a number of steps which formally launch its efforts to locate and hire a new police chief, according to a City memo.
On Thursday, Pasadena City Manager Steve Mermell’s office said that the City has engaged an Executive Search firm, Teri Black & Company, scheduled public meetings on the selection process, and is creating online surveys for community input as well.
The memo said that Black has nearly 20 years of experience in public sector executive recruitment and network building, and that she has “ exceptional depth” in local law enforcement knowledge.
Before entering the Executive Search profession, the memo said, Black served as a chief of staff in the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).
The memo said that Black has “ a very good understanding of our community and organizational culture” from prior engagements providing services to Pasadena.
As part of the process, three public meetings have been scheduled in order to gather community input regarding the qualities most desired in a new Chief as well as identifying the key issues he/she will need to address.
“Public input is crucial to selecting the best individual to lead the Department.,” Mermell said in a statement. “I encourage all community stakeholders to attend the upcoming forum(s) and share their thoughts on the characteristics and professional background they feel are most important when selecting a new Chief.”
Additionally, an online survey is available at https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/main/police-chief-recruitment/ to receive input outside of the meetings.
The on-line survey will be live until September 27.
The public meetings will be held:
Thursday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chamber
100 North Garfield Avenue, Second FloorSaturday, September 8th at 9:30 a.m.
Villa-parke Community Center Auditorium
363 East Villa StreetSaturday, September 8th at 11;30 a.m.
Jackie Robinson Community Center Auditorium
1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Similar internal meetings will be held with Police Department staff, the memo said.
It is anticipated that the City will begin accepting applicants in September, with screening and interviews taking place in October and November.
The interview process will include a community panel in addition to law enforcement professionals and municipal agency administrators.
The current Interim Chief of Police is John Perez, who was named to that position after former Chief Phillip L. Sanchez announced his retirement on March 12, 2018.
Perez announced last week that he will apply for the permanent position.