In-person interviews for the three Columbus police chief finalists will begin next week, according to Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell.
After Thursday’s city council work session, she told The Dispatch the first interview is set for Wednesday. The others will follow on Thursday and Nov. 8, respectively.
Mayor Keith Gaskin said after the work session the city still plans to release the names of the finalists but not until closer to the time of the in-person interviews.
“Our goal is to release the names and their background information before they get here and then after the interviews we will have a reception time (at City Hall) where citizens can meet them and ask questions,” he said.
Gaskin had originally said the names could be released as early as last week, but he explained that the candidates asked for a delay.
“There were some requests from the candidates about when we would release them and when we wouldn’t,” he said. “I don’t think they wanted (their names) out there real, real early. My goal is that I want this to be as transparent as possible but also respect HR issues.”
The search process was handled by a 10-person search committee. The members are: Gaskin, Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens, Ward 3 Councilman Rusty Greene, Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones, Chief Operations Officer Jammie Garrett, Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell, former Columbus Police Department Chief Pete Bowen, District Attorney Scott Colom, public defender Amanda Meadows and Civil Service Commission member Rita Felton.
The city is replacing former chief Fred Shelton, who retired on Aug. 15. He announced his intention to retire on July 12, hours before a special-call city council meeting to discuss his job performance.
Columbus City Council appointed Doran Johnson, the assistant chief, to serve as interim chief, effective Aug. 16. He said at the time he would apply for the permanent post.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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