Fort Worth should have a new police chief by April

A new police chief should be in place by April, after a national search finds someone with the proper “fit” for the city, according to a report issued to the Fort Worth City Council.

In fact, “proper fit” will be “emphasized as important as technical ability,” City Manager David Cooke said in the report.

Police Chief Jeff Halstead announced his plans to retire in November, effective Jan. 9. Halstead, who replaced Ralph Mendoza, has been chief for five years. Assistant Chief Rhonda Robertson was named interim police chief, effective Jan. 10. Robertson, who had already announced plans to retire herself, has said she is not interested in the permanent position.

The city will hire a professional consulting firm to do the search, and Cooke’s office is reviewing those proposals now. That firm will be expected to meet with city staff, community leaders and the City Council to know what is expected of the candidates.

Top candidates will be accessible to stakeholders in a “transparent process” that could include interview panels, receptions, briefings or other “suitable mechanisms.”

Also on Tuesday, the City Council is set to approve the city’s federal legislative agenda — which includes support for the Trinity River Vision project and funding for TEX Rail — and vote on changes to the city’s Minority and Women Business Enterprises that will reduce the time allowed to submit minority and small business enterprise documents.

This story was originally published December 7, 2014 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Fort Worth should have a new police chief by April."