Clearlake City Council approves appointment of new police chief
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Thursday night, the Clearlake City Council gave its unanimous approval to the hire of the city’s new police chief.
With the 5-0 vote, the council directed City Manager Greg Folsom to appoint Andrew White to the job and to execute the proposed employment contract.
White, 33, who was not present for the meeting, is commander at the Suisun City Police Department in Solano County. He’s a 16-year law enforcement veteran and police academy instructor with a wide range of qualifications and experience that city officials decided made him the top choice for chief.
The city’s former chief, Craig Clausen, retired in December after being off work for two years due to an injury. Lt. Tim Celli had been acting chief since Clausen went off-duty in December 2015, and was named interim chief in December, upon Clausen’s retirement.
Folsom explained during Thursday night’s meeting that the city hired Ralph Andersen & Associates earlier this year to lead the executive search process for the new chief.
The recruiting firm met with Folsom, the city council, city department heads, Konocti Unified School District and Lake County Fire Protection District to develop the ideal candidate profile, Folsom said. The firm also held a public meeting in February to gather community input.
From there, Ralph Andersen & Associates created a brochure and began a confidential recruitment. Folsom said the process was kept confidential because most applicants have jobs and usually do not want their employers to know they are looking.
Folsom said the recruiter received more than 20 applications from throughout California and other states.
The recruiter did an initial screening and the top candidates were interviewed by a panel of community members, Clearlake Police Officers Association representatives and chiefs of similar sized communities, Folsom said.
That led to the top three candidates being interviewed by Folsom and the council, with White ultimately selected as the new chief.
Folsom said Suisun City has a population of about 30,000 residents and also has very similar challenges to Lake County.
White holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management/IT from Union Institute and University, and has five certificates through the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
He’s also serves as commander for the Solano County Mobile Field Force, is a member of the California Police Chiefs Association Technology Committee and chairs the Solano County Animal Control Authority.
Folsom said that among White’s many skills and qualifications, he’s extremely adept at technology.
White’s background investigation, and medical and psychological exams have all been completed, Folsom said.
“His background investigation showed him to be of extremely high character and intelligence and he is highly recommended by all contacts,” Folsom said
He added that White has purchased a house and plans to reside within the Clearlake city limits.
Folsom said the terms of the proposed contract between White and the city includes a $130,000 annual salary, noting that Clausen’s salary was $126,000 annually.
The contract also will have an initial three-year term with the ability to renew, six months’ severance, eligibility for a 5-percent POST Executive Certificate incentive pay after two years of employment, use of a vehicle, a cell phone allowance, a one-time $5,000 relocation expense and the city’s payment of dues and expenses for his professional development.
There were no questions about the hire or proposed contract from the council or community members.
Mayor Bruno Sabatier said some people had expressed concerns about the expense of the recruitment; the city’s contract with Ralph Andersen & Associates was for $24,500, with up to $1,500 in contract change orders.
Considering the number – and quality – of applications the city received from the recruitment, Sabatier said he felt it was well worth the expense.
“I’m really happy with the outcomes of this,” and hoped the rest of the council is as well, Sabatier said.
Councilman Russell Cremer moved to have Folsom appoint White as chief, with Councilman Phil Harris seconding and the council voting 5-0.
Folsom said White’s swearing-in ceremony will take place at the next regular council meeting, which will begin at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 26. The meeting will take place at the community and senior center, 3245 Bowers Ave., with a reception to follow.
Also on Thursday, the council approved a resolution granting consent to the county of Lake to operate a tourism improvement district within the city limits in an effort to help fund marketing and sales promotion efforts, and heard a presentation from Lisa Kaplan of the Middletown Art Center about its Resilience Project.
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