Newport Beach : 4 Finalists Selected for Police Chief Post

City Manager Kevin J. Murphy this week is interviewing four finalists for the top job at the Police Department.

The four men vying to become chief of police, a job that will pay between $84,000 and $103,000, all live in California, Murphy said. At least one of them is currently a police chief.

Murphy refused to say whether any finalists are from Orange County.

The former police chief, Arb Campbell, was fired in December after 10 women filed a lawsuit claiming that he condoned sexual harassment and raped a dispatcher after a police party in 1981. Capt. Jim Jacobs, who has served as acting police chief since Campbell was placed on leave last fall, is not a candidate for the chief’s job.

A five-member interview panel that included members of the city’s civil service board, police chiefs and a neighboring city manager, selected the four finalists from among 10 semifinalists. Candidates have also taken a written examination and a psychological test, which have yet to be scored. Fifty-two people applied for the job.

After Murphy interviews the candidates this week, he will conduct extensive background checks, and the civil service board will review the applications. Murphy expects to name a new chief this month.