Six finalists are visiting the city this month and next, but there are no public forums to hear their viewpoints and ask questions. The city's personnel administrator says the candidates could possibly be fired if their bosses found out they were looking for another position. We understand the premise, but given the importance of the chief's job to the community, the process is a poor one. The candidates should have been told that full-scale community input is part of life here. These are not ordinary times for a city with a growing crime rate.
Every resident has a vested interest in the next chief.
Everybody had a chance to hear the candidates' philosophies, not just those who were willing to commit to a six-month search process. The city is also fooling itself by thinking that word won't get out. If the screening committee is reluctant to change course, it should at least ask each candidate if they'd like to meet the community they hope to serve.