Police lieutenant to fill in after Shultz's departure; police chief search continues

The Bainbridge Island Police Department will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Sue Shultz, the department's former commander, with an administrative lieutenant.

Interim Public Safety Director Larry Dickerson told the city's Civil Service Commission at its last meeting that he would name an administrative lieutenant "in the very near future."

The police department currently has four lieutenants, and Dickerson said the administrative position would be filled on a rotational basis.

It will not be considered a promotion, Dickerson told commissioners.

The first appointment, he said, would serve until the city hires a new police chief.

Bainbridge has been without a police chief since the resignation of Jon Fehlman in September. Shultz, the number two officer in the department, resigned from her post effective Jan. 2.

Bainbridge Island signed a contract with the executive headhunting firm of Strategic Government Resources on Jan. 7 to have the Texas-based firm conduct a search for the city's next police chief.

Strategic Government Resources will be paid up to $22,000 for the search, according to the company's letter of understanding with the city.

The work includes developing a recruiting brochure for the position, ads in professional publications, and contacting "key opinion leaders across the nation" to seek candidate recommendations.

The firm will also do a "triage level" review of applicants for the position, and conduct initial telephone and email conversations with candidates for the post.

Strategic Government Resources also expects to record online interviews with up to 12 semifinalists, and help city officials develop a short list of four to six candidates for further interviews.

Work has already started on the search. The company held a public forum Jan. 15 to get input on what the community expects of its next police chief.

Strategic Government Resources has told the city the search is expected to take two months.

 

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Editor Brian Kelly at editor@bainbridgereview.com or 1-206-842-6613.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.