Police Chief Applies for Job in Phoenix

Oxnard Police Chief Harold Hurtt has applied for the job of Phoenix police chief, three weeks after announcing he would return to Arizona to seek the job.

Hurtt filed the application shortly before last week’s deadline, Phoenix officials said Monday. The police chief said he went house-hunting this past weekend in Phoenix, where his wife has taken a job with a private foster-care program.

Regardless of whether he gets the job, Hurtt plans to return to Phoenix, where he worked as a police officer for 24 years before coming to Oxnard in 1992.

Some in Phoenix have speculated Hurtt has the inside track because of his previous experience there. But officials said all 25 applicants, including seven in-house candidates, will get a close look.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of good candidates,” City Manager Frank Fairbanks said. Several citizens groups are expected to interview applicants, with Fairbanks’ decision coming in early April.

In his application, Hurtt stressed a successful community policing program and 25% reduction in crime during his tenure here. He said he would even take Spanish classes to better communicate with Latinos in Phoenix.

Hurtt has said he will stay in Oxnard as late as June to help council members choose a replacement.