Citizens Panel May Help Pick Next Chief

The city will probably form a citizens advisory committee to help choose the next chief of police.

Councilman Mike Alvarez proposed the plan this week, saying he wanted residents to have a voice in picking the chief.

City Manager David L. Rudat fired Chief John R. Robertson in February, citing allegations that included insubordination. The City Council affirmed the action with a 3-2 vote after prolonged public debate. Alvarez and Councilman Dan Slater voted against the firing and protested that Robertson had been forced from his job.

Rudat was out of town when Alvarez proposed the plan Tuesday but left a memo asking council members to postpone a decision on the committee until he returned from vacation.

“I believe public input can be a beneficial component of such an important process,” Rudat wrote, noting that Alvarez did not discuss the proposal with him. “However, it is critical that it be included properly.”

Alvarez suggested that each of the five council members choose a member of the committee, but Slater said he would rather have a larger panel of 15.

All of the council members said they supported the general concept of the plan but delayed a vote on it until the July 14 meeting as a courtesy to Rudat.