The public can meet the five finalists for the Bainbridge police chief position Thursday evening. A meet-and-greet with the quintet is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. at City Hall.
The candidates will visit with personnel at the police department this afternoon before the public reception. Tomorrow they will meet with four interview panels and City Manager Doug Schulze. Schulze said he could announce his pick for the job as early as Friday evening.
Here are the mini-bios provided by the city:
The city will host two police-related outreach programs this week. The first is a forum on the search for a new police chief, as we noted with a brief last week:
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Bainbridge Island is seeking input on its search for a new police chief.
The public can weigh in on the search at a forum from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 15 at City Hall. Comments also can be emailed to cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov.
The city is searching for a replacement for former Chief Jon Fehlman, who resigned in September. Texas-based firm Strategic Government Resources was hired in December to lead the search for a new chief.
“It’s very important to me that SGR hear directly from island residents about the qualifications and characteristics desired in potential candidates,” City Manager Doug Schulze said. “The consultants will then use this input when developing the police chief position profile.”
SGR also led the city’s search for a new manager, which resulted in the hiring of Schulze last fall.
Bainbridge Island Police Department has also organized a fraud prevention workshop for Friday. The program will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Waterfront Park Community Center (a nice opportunity to check out the recent renovation).
A panel of experts will discuss common internet scams, mail scams, and identity theft. The program will include information on how to prevent fraud and resources available to fraud victims.
“The purpose of the workshop is simply to educate islanders about the latest scams and to help them avoid being the victims of fraud,” Interim Public Safety Director Larry Dickerson said in an announcement. “While the workshop will be geared toward the island’s senior citizens, any interested members of the public are welcome to attend.”
The workshop is free and no advance registration is necessary.
Bainbridge Island Police Chief Matt Haney is leaving his post to take a job with an Eastern Washington tribe next month.
Haney, 55, gave official notice of his resignation today.
He’ll continue as chief until mid-February. Deputy Chief Jon Fehlman, who was hired in November, will take over the department until a replacement is selected, Mayor Darlene Kordonowy said.
Haney will retire from the state retirement system before assuming his new duties as the Confederated Tribes of the Colville’s chief of police.
