Police Chief Search Committee Present: Joseph Pane
October 4, 2005 Jodi Ross
James Anker
Stanley Wysocki
Kimberly Denaro
Eric Schartner
Robert Minardi
Brian Lynch
Cathy Giunta
The Police Chief Search Committee met at 7:00 p.m. at the Florence Sawyer School Cafeteria.
INTERVIEW WITH CONSULTING FIRM
At 7:30 p.m. the Committee met with Mr. Richard Bennett of Bennett Yarger to discuss utilizing their services to assist in the search for a new Police Chief. Mr. Bennett presented his overview of his firm’s capabilities. A lengthy discussion ensued encompassing the most recent search for a police chief for Dennis, Ma.; use of assessment centers and the quality of their search results. Results were favorable overall for retention rate of other police chiefs that they placed. The Bennett Yarger search firm has been utilized in 34 States. Individuals of the firm handle no more than 4-6 searches per person. They recommend getting a 3-5 year vision of what the town needs. Need to interview a cross section of townspeople, town officials, police officers, business leaders, and critics of
the police department to ascertain all needs of the town for this position. Need to establish priorities and direction to insure a focused search for this position.
A profile and challenge statement is the central document that directs the search process. Bennett Yarger reviews all resumes and presents top 9-12 for search committee to review. Mr. Bennett recommends interviewing no more than 6 candidates. The Board of Selectmen would interview the final three candidates twice.
Discussion took place on how to handle inside Bolton Police Department candidates. Candidates must meet all criteria presented in the profile and challenge statement. The salary data was discussed. The position should be advertised with a salary range to be clear about the job. Candidates look for 10-15% above what they currently make, especially if they are within driving distance of the town, before making a career or location change.
REVIEW OF INTERVIEWS
The Police Chief Search Committee discussed the performance of Bennett Yarger and the consensus was that Mr. Bennett did provided a very good presentation overall.
The Committee discussed the key criteria to choose between the 3 firms interviewed.
1. Factored in the assessment process – very important; the assessment process is usually administered by other police chiefs, active or retired.
2. Process driven firms vs. experience of BadgeQuest;
3. Broadness of experience of Bennett Yarger a definite plus;
4. Need a leader to bring the group (department) together;
5. Need a Chief who will trust his or her department.
After a lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of each firm interviewed, on a motion made by Giunta and seconded by Anker, the Police Chief Search Committee awarded the contract to BadgeQuest. (Pane – yes Ross – yes, Wysocki – yes, Minardi – yes, Anker – yes, Lynch – yes, Schartner – yes, Giunta – yes, Denaro – yes)
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Police Chief Search Committee minutes taken by Brian Lynch.
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