Glendale searches for new police chief

City officials will begin accepting applications later this month to replace interim Glendale Police Chief Ron De Pompa, who has been working on an hourly basis since announcing his retirement in February.

Human Resources Director Matt Doyle this week announced the search for a new chief, as well as changes to the position’s existing job descriptions, which include an understanding of new crime-fighting technology.

“[De Pompa] is committed to staying with us until this position is filled with a suitable replacement,” Doyle said during a Civil Service Commission meeting.

As an hourly employee, De Pompa — who retired after roughly 37 years with the department — has been earning about $103 per hour as he continues his role as the interim chief and overseeing organizational changes.

During his term as chief, De Pompa largely oversaw the development of crime analysis, implementation of predictive policing and area command, which segments the city into five major patrol jurisdictions — philosophies that are listed in the new job description.

Civil Service Commissioner Sam Manoukian said he hoped the new chief would be a sworn staffer currently working with the Police Department, but an executive search firm is working with human resources officials on recruitment efforts as well as with the testing process.

The search process will be short, beginning July 22 and closing Aug. 26, Doyle said.

The search firm, Doyle said, will also look outside Southern California for a pool of about 12 potential candidates.

“We are trying to make this process as inclusive as possible,” Doyle said.

Four to six candidates vying for the department’s top job must participate in three equally-weighed oral assessment panels, which include community members, city personnel and union representatives and police and management officials from other agencies.

The position, which will start off as probationary for a year, offers retirement benefits and pay of between $14,353 and $17,942 per month.

“We hope to attract the best candidates,” Doyle said.

[For the Record, 10 p.m.: A subheadline on an earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that a new chief would be chosen by the end of August, when in fact, that is the time when the search period ends.]

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