Updated information:
The City of Asheville will hold an informational meeting to discuss how public input informed the profile used to search for Asheville’s next police chief. The informational session will take place at 6:30 p.m. May 13 at the Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave.
Working in partnership with Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) consultants, City staff went into the community to gather input about the qualities and characteristics Asheville’s residents desired in the next police chief. The profile can be found here. The input collected by PERF and City staff is available online.
City staff will be onsite to provide an update on the progress towards hiring Asheville next police chief.
Original post:
The City of Asheville is about to embark a search for our next Police Chief, a search that will be open and accessible to the public and City staff.
Community input will be sought through multiple outreach efforts and considered by City Manager Debra Campbell, who will ultimately make the hiring decision.
This community input will be used to develop a profile for the Police Chief position. Input will be sought at two public meetings coming up, as well as through an online survey. The City wants to hear from residents on what leadership qualities they would like to see in our next Police Chief. Here is the meeting schedule:
- 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5: Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6: Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave.
Child care and Spanish interpretive services will be provided at both meetings. Both locations are on ART bus routes.
In addition, the City will launch an online survey on Open City Hall Asheville, asking residents the same questions they will be asked at the public meetings.
Communication outreach will extend to organizations and groups in underserved communities, such as the Asheville Housing Authority. People can also provide input at our Southside Neighborhood Hours, held at the Grant Center from 3 to 6 p.m. the fourth Thursday of every month.
A webpage with information related to the Police Chief search is available on the City of Asheville website. This page will be updated throughout the process.
Working with a professional hiring consultant, the goal is to have a new Police Chief hired in the spring.