‘Transparency.’ ‘Honesty.’ As Arlington begins police chief search, locals weigh in
The Arlington police chief search is only in its first weeks, but residents are already watching carefully as the process begins — especially in the weeks following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.
Along protest routes and across days of events, protesters in Arlington have urged each other to engage in local government as elections approach — and as city manager Trey Yelverton appoints a new chief of police to succeed Will Johnson. Johnson retired from his post in early June after seven years as chief and 23 years with the Arlington Police Department.
Days after marching in a rally and protest organized by the UT Arlington and Arlington NAACP chapters, Karlton Washington, vice president of the fraternity alumni group Arlington Alphas, said he wants to be involved in the process.
“We basically have the chance to make a huge change with the selection of a new Arlington police chief.,” he said.
Yelverton said he wants to appoint a new police chief by the end of September, after interview sessions with residents and public forums. Although residents do not vote for police chief, he said he welcomes feedback through call or email to his office.
“Fighting crime is a total community effort,” Yelverton said. “It’s not just a policing effort.”
The city’s job posting calls for those with three years in a police command position and a decade of experience in a supervisor role. Candidates should also have earned a master’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. Marketing for the position also calls for people possessing “a broad depth of experience partnering with a diverse range of racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.”
Jaime Ayala and Kevin Kolbye are serving as interim chiefs of police. Ayala will head APD until July 31 and Kolbye will serve as chief from Aug. 1 through the end of September.
Yelverton said he has been reaching out to neighborhood groups and other stakeholders to discuss their requirements for the new chief. Top candidates will face a panel of residents and community meetings, during which people can ask the finalists questions.
Multiple organizations are calling for a chief who is unafraid to institute reforms as agencies across the nation consider police reform. Alisa Simmons, president of the Arlington NAACP, said her members would like the next chief to focus on building a relationship with community, favor policies that prohibit racial profiling and promote diversity within the department.
“We are interested in having a leader who has a genuine concern and heart for the community who is unafraid to tackle the tough issues like what America is dealing with today in light of the George Floyd killing,” she said.
Simmons said Yelverton has been open to the NAACP’s requests, including the creation of a review board and requiring officers to log each time they pull out their weapons. The NAACP has also called for transparency and an open mind toward examining other policies.
“If we have somebody with those basic qualities, then we can work through anything that occurs in this community through policing,” Simmons said.
Although he has not yet spoken with Yelverton, Luis Castillo, president of Arlington’s League of Latin American Citizens, said he’d like to see a chief who can relate to a city filled with diversity. Minorities make up a majority of the city’s population, according to the U.S. Census.
“We don’t need a corporate type of police chief or a smooth-talker. We need a people person — someone who can balance the needs of the community with those of the police department,” he said.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
