Finalists have been selected for Bainbridge Island’s next police chief.

The search for a new police chief is being conducted by the consultant Strategic Government Resources, a Texas-based executive headhunting firm.

According to the company’s website, finalists for the position of Bainbridge Island police chief have been selected.

The city is planning a reception at city hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 for the public to meet the candidates.

Bainbridge officials have not released the names of the finalists for the police chief position.

Police Chief Jeff Horn is currently serving as interim police chief. He was deputy chief under former chief Matthew Hamner, who left his post on Bainbridge in January to take a job in Banning, California, following former Bainbridge city manager Doug Schulze’s resignation last year to take over as Banning’s city manager.

Horn recently told the Review he has been looking for another position, and has interviewed for a job in Banning.

Horn said he had been told earlier by City Manager Morgan Smith that the city would conduct a nationwide search for a new chief, and he understood her decision.

“The police chief is probably the most important hire a city manager can do,” Horn said. “She inherited me; I get that.”

“It’s her prerogative,” he added. “Obviously, I think I’m the right candidate, but that’s OK, too.”

He said he started to look at different employment options after being told he would not get the chief job as a permanent position.

“I love the Bainbridge Island Police Department, I love the community,” Horn added. “I’m going to work hard until I’m not a member here anymore.”

“California is one of the places I’m looking, but that’s not the only place I’ve looked at.”

Horn said he has had an interview in Banning, in September, but added that was just one of a number of opportunities he was looking at.

“It’s in the realm of possibilities,” he said.