CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake is planning a public forum on its police chief recruitment later this month.
City Manager Greg Folsom said the forum will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
“We want to hear from the citizens about the types of qualities they feel are important to seek out in our next chief of police,” said Folsom. “The chief is critical to helping us meet our strategic goal of making Clearlake a statistically safer city.”
With the retirement in December of Chief Craig Clausen, the city has appointed Lt. Tim Celli as acting chief. He’s taken on the responsibilities of the position for the past two years but told Lake County News he doesn’t intend to apply for the job on a permanent basis.
Last week during a special meeting, the Clearlake City Council voted to hire Ralph Andersen & Associates to lead the recruitment for a new police chief, as Lake County News has reported.
At the same meeting – before the council took action on the item – Councilman Russell Perdock delivered his letter of resignation from the council because he said he intends to apply for the police chief’s job.
Folsom said the city is hosting the Feb. 26 forum in order to allow community members to give input to the recruiter regarding the traits that would be desirable in city’s next chief of police.
After this meeting, Folsom said the recruiter will begin the process of seeking out qualified applicants for the position.
It was estimated at last week’s special council meeting that a new chief could be hired within 12 weeks.
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City of Clearlake to hold Feb. 26 forum on police chief recruitment
- Elizabeth Larson
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