AMHERST — Two public listening sessions during which the public will be able to offer thoughts on the qualities and characteristics for a new police chief are set for Sept. 12.

The in-person meetings with representatives from GovHR, an executive search firm from Northbrook, Illinois, are set for 9 a.m. at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, and 6 p.m. at the Woodbury Room at the Jones Library, 43 Amity St.

“Community feedback will serve as an invaluable tool as GovHR begins its work in assisting the town recruit a new police chief,” Town Manager Paul Bockelman said in a statement

Former Police Chief Scott Livingstone retired at the end of May after nearly 14 years overseeing the department. Since then, Police Capt. Gabriel Ting has served as interim police chief.

GovHR, a company that has helped recruit almost 80 police chiefs in 14 states, will structure the listening sessions to ask community members to consider the qualities they hope the next police chief will possess, including experience and areas of emphasis.

The company will also conduct additional outreach to the community, develop a position profile, and support Human Resources Director Melissa Loiodice-Walker in advertising and recruiting, developing interview standards and questions and conducting a background check on the appointed candidate.

To comply with the town charter, Bockelman is obligated to ensure that the appointment is done on the basis of merit “demonstrated by examination, past performance, or other evidence of competence” and that the candidate selected shall be a person “especially fitted by education, training, and previous work experience to perform the duties of the office or position.”

While Loiodice-Walker will be leading the recruiting, interviewing and recommending of finalist candidates to the town manager, an advisory screening committee will assist in the review of applications and conducting the initial interviews of candidates, as well as advice and counsel on the appointment.

In addition to the two public listening sessions, the consultants will engage with various community groups in Amherst, as well as conduct one-on-one meetings with members of the Town Council, Community Safety and Social Justice Committee and Human Rights Commission and municipal staff, including members of the police department.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>