By Rick Pusiak
Sudbury's next police chief may already be a member of the local service. Police Services Board chair Andy Humber says his colleagues will consider applications from within the department before looking outside the city. Humber and the rest of the board believe there is talent in the local service that deserves to be considered.
There are at least three or four members of the Greater Sudbury Police Service who fit the bill, he said. The ideal person has to be "executive material" as well as charismatic.
"A person with good interpersonal skills obviously, a person who deals well with the public and is approachable," said Humber.
"A person who has a good policing background, understands the issues and dynamics in today's society...a good manager."
The new chief will also have to be a bit of a political animal. The chief or his designate sit alongside administration at city council meetings.
Humber explained that before the interviews begin, board members will be trained by the Ontario Association of Police Service Boards on how to pick a chief. The board had the option of simply appointing a successor to McCauley but decided to go the interview route.
"Our (association) has a chief selection model or program," said Humber.
"Chief Alex McCauley, who announced his retirement last month, assisted in the selection of a new chief in North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.
The final decision on Sudbury's next chief may be three or four months down the road.
Humber said the whole police services board will be involved in the process and will wait until board member Eldon Gainer recovers from a broken leg and is able to rejoin the group.
If the job competition has to be expanded to outside communities, it could be even longer before McCauley's successor is selected.
But Humber stressed the goal is to find somebody locally before going outside.
McCauley's retirement takes effect Sept. 30. It is possible he may leave earlier because of vacation time owed, but that would be worked out in concert with the police services board.
