[Press Release] : Citizens advising on police chief search will meet Friday

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Toni Messina, Public Communications Director - (573) 874-7660

Citizens advising on police chief search will meet Friday
 
COLUMBIA, MO (January 28, 2009) - The citizens committee advising City
Manager Bill Watkins during the search for a new police chief will meet
Friday, Jan. 30, in a closed session set for 11 a.m. at the Daniel Boone
Building, 701 E. Broadway. The committee’s task is to provide input
into the search process. The goal of its meeting is to narrow the field
from four candidates to two.

Watkins said that he’s ready to take the next step but wants to make
sure that the person who is chosen is the best possible fit for the
community. “The advisory committee and the citizens who participated
in the search process really are dedicated to this task, and I
appreciate it. I take their advice seriously.”

Additional discussions at the next stage could take place in Columbia
or in the candidate’s home city. “Out of an abundance of caution, I
need to hear what others who have worked closely with the candidates say
about them. I need to see personally how they react to Columbia.”
Watkins said that he would announce the names of the two candidates
some time after he confers with advisory committee members.

Community Reaction to Four Finalists
Citizens had an opportunity to observe and talk with the finalists when
they visited Columbia on Jan. 12 -13. The points below reflect the
collective, general preferences they expressed.
● Citizens prefer a good communicator…someone who is at ease in his
or her interactions, who is a good listener, who seriously reflects on
questions and who answers clearly, honestly and in a straightforward
manner.
● It’s important for the next chief to have experience with a
citizen review board or to be open to the idea of working with one.
● Because Columbia is changing in size and demographics, it’s
important to have a chief who is familiar with issues facing larger
cities: drugs, gangs, crime imported here from other places.
● The next chief should be intelligent, well-rounded and open to
community partnerships to help solve crime problems.
● Experience with community policing is desirable.
● The individual should be enthusiastic and sincere.

- 30 -
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