Fort Worth hires firm to search for new police chief

The city has hired a consulting firm to conduct a national search for a new police chief.

Slavin Management Consultants, based in Atlanta, was chosen because of the way it will conduct the recruitment, its experience in executive searches and a demonstrated ability to produce diverse applicants, City Manager David Cooke said in a report.

Meetings for the first phase of the process — developing a position profile that includes preferred management style and personal traits — start next week.

“A considerable amount of time will be spent at the beginning of the process to identify the unique challenges of the job and general environment within which the position functions,” Cooke’s report said.

Slavin is also searching for police chiefs for Austin; Phoenix; Columbia, Mo.; and Fort Myers, Fla.

The job posting for the Fort Worth position on the firm’s website says a “typical qualifying background” would include eight years in municipal police work, including four years of management.

The experience should have been gained in a community with a population of at least 200,000, and the applicant should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in police science, criminal justice or public administration. A master’s degree is preferred, according to the website.

Applicants should also have “experience in initiating and overseeing community policing and crime prevention programs and experience working with police unions.”

The qualified candidate should be a team player who can build “rapport and trust” in the department and with the community.

In November, Chief Jeff Halstead announced his plans to retire effective Jan. 9. Halstead, who replaced Ralph Mendoza, had been chief for five years.

Assistant Chief Rhonda Robertson was named interim chief, effective Jan. 10. Robertson, who had announced her own plans to retire, has said she is not interested in the permanent position.

This story was originally published January 26, 2015 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Fort Worth hires firm to search for new police chief."