By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph could get a new police chief soon.
Interim St. Joseph Police Chief Dave Hart says the process is moving forward after four finalists came to the city to meet with residents last week.
“We’ve made some really good progress in the police chief hiring. They did interviews last week. We had a couple of meet and greets, a community meet and greet with the candidates. The response was outstanding. We had a lot of people show up, a lot of good questions, good interactions,” Hart tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “So, we’re pretty optimistic about where the process stands. But it should be wrapping up now and time to bring someone new in.”
The finalists are Alliance, Nebraska Police Chief Philip Lukens; Kansas City, Missouri Police Major Paul Luster; Beauford, South Carolina Deputy Police Chief Stehenie Price; and Acting Kansas City, Kansas Deputy Police Chief Rance Quinn.
Hart did not apply for the position and will return to being a commander when the new chief is chosen. In fact, no one in the St. Joseph Police Department applied for the job.
Hart says the city is close to making an offer to one of four finalists.
“We’re coming up on that finish line and hopefully we can get that person in place and really move forward with the department.”
Hart expects the hiring process to move quickly, now.
“Optimistically hoping to know who the final selection is towards the end of this month, just the very first of next month and then it’s just logistics from there as far as getting them here,” Hart says. “We’re hopeful that will see somebody in June. I would say definitely no late than July.”
Public Sector Search and Consulting has been assisting the city in the search to replace Chief Chris Connally, who retired after 17 years in the position.