Wichita wants to know what you want in the city’s next police chief
If you want a say in what qualities and priorities Wichita’s next police chief should have, now’s your chance.
The city is seeking input on exactly that from those who live, work and visit the area using a short, online survey through June 27.
English speakers can access the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B9GVHCJ.
Spanish speakers can fill it out at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/66TYQCK.
The survey poses multiple-choice questions asking takers to pick up to five pre-selected qualifications, priorities and leadership qualities the next police chief should possess. It also has an open-ended question asking what the city manager should take into consideration when he appoints the next chief, as well as asks for demographic information including whether the person filling out the survey lives in Wichita.
The survey only takes moments to complete.
Information collected is expected to be used in conjunction with separate survey answers from community stakeholders and a group of well-known community members to develop a candidate profile that will aid in a national search process to find former police Chief Gordon Ramsay’s replacement. Ramsay, who led the department for six years, resigned March 1 to focus on his family and a run for sheriff in St. Louis County, Minnesota, he has said.
Lemuel Moore, a 30-year veteran with the WPD, took over as interim chief after Ramsay’s departure and has since said he’s interested in applying for the permanent role.
The city in a Wednesday news release said that once the California-based company it’s hired to handle the search and selection process, Public Sector Search & Consulting, finalizes a candidate profile, it “will post an official job listing and begin recruitment efforts.” A committee will then review applicants, suggest semifinalists to interview and select final candidates, the release says.
Wichita City Manager Robert Layton will make the final appointment.
The city, which has promised community input through the process, expects the search to wrap up by fall.
The Eagle earlier this year conducted its own survey asking community members and stakeholders for their opinions on what sort of person should take over the department. You can read the results here.
