The city of Columbus continues to search for a new police chief, with city officials extending the application deadline to Sept. 8.
The original deadline for the position, which comes with a $70,000 to $75,000 salary, was last Thursday, and according to Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell, it”s generated a lot of interest. So far, approximately 60 people have submitted applications, though “a lot aren”t qualified,” Mitchell said.
Interim Police Chief Selvain McQueen, former head of the Criminal Investigations Division, has been performing the chief”s role since former chief Joseph St. John was fired in July.
The city is performing the search itself, using the same method used in 2007 to net St. John — primarily advertising in local media and national publications geared towards police officers. A search committee will be appointed by the City Council on Sept. 6. After the application deadline has passed, the committee will review the applications and narrow the pool to five select candidates.
Qualified applicants are expected to have 10 years of experience, including five years as a supervisor or division commander, assistant police chief or chief.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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