Chief candidates meet with public (City of Killeen Texas is assisted by the search specialists at Waters Consulting)


By Lisa Soule
Killeen Daily Herald

Published 8/16/2004

Five candidates for Killeen's police chief position had an opportunity to meet the public Monday after a daylong interview process.

The following candidates are being considered for the position:

n Killeen Interim Police Chief Dennis Baldwin.

n Prichard, Ala., Police Chief Sammie Brown, Jr.

n Mesquite Assistant Police Chief William O. Hobson

n Lynchburg, Va., Deputy Police Chief Jack K. Lewis

n Wilmington, N.C., Police Capt. James C. Moore

Earlier in the day, each had faced three separate panels and a one-on-one interview with the deputy city manager.

Each council member appointed a resident to a citizens panel. Police department officers and civilians made up another panel. Police chiefs from Cedar Park, San Marcos and Bryan made up a third panel.

The process continues today as each candidate speaks with City Manager David Blackburn."It's a rigorous process," Blackburn said as he introduced the candidates to a crowd of about 30 who attended the meet-and-greet at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. "But I hope it is beneficial as they also assess the city."

Blackburn said he used a similar process to choose the last chief, Robert L. Jackson Jr., who resigned in January after concerns arose about a city-paid trip he took to a pastor's conference.

Killeen resident J.T. Smith sat on the citizens panel. Smith said after Monday's meetings, two candidates stood out among the others, although he wouldn't name them.

After meeting all the candidates, Smith said panel members shared their impressions with the city manager.

"He asked for observations and opinions," Smith said. "Not for recommendations."

Blackburn will make the final decision.

Interim Police Chief Dennis Baldwin said whoever is selected will benefit from the cooperative spirit the community has displayed during the process.

Baldwin, who lives outside of Bell County, said the next chief should live within the city.

"The police chief should live in the community where he serves," Baldwin said. "That is one key position where I support that."

If he is selected as chief, Baldwin said he is prepared to move to Killeen.

Prichard Ala., Police Chief Sammie Brown, Jr., said he was encouraged by what he had seen in Killeen.

"One thing I can say after all my travels, I have not had the feeling of being a stranger in this city," Brown said.

Mesquite Assistant Police Chief William Hobson said he was impressed with the police department's programs.

"Everyone I've met has been very professional," Hobson said. "They represent the police department and the town well."

Lynchburg, Va., Deputy Police Chief Jack Lewis said he found the interview process both helpful and welcoming.

Lewis said his father, who was stationed briefly at Fort Hood in the 1940s, told him he would like the people in Killeen.

"He was right," Lewis said. "It's all about people."

Wilmington, N.C., Police Capt. James C. Moore said he found Killeen to be a nice, growing city. "It has a lot of programs for the police department — good things are going on."

Assistant Chief Larry Longwell said he is trusting the process to select the next chief.

"I'd like to think it will bring out the candidate best suited for the job," Longwell said.