BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont city leaders are looking for the perfect candidate as the city's Police Chief prepares to retire.
During a city council meeting on Tuesday, City Manager Kenneth Williams laid out a plan and a timeline for the hiring process.
The current chief, Jimmy Singletary is retiring March 31, 2024. City leaders say they have a must have check list for the next person taking over for Singletary
However, they say none of that matters if they aren't the best fit for Beaumont.
"Police Chief is one of the most important position in the city," said Williams.
The city has a plan to find a new chief.
"We are going to work with a professional recruiting firm," he said.
He knows finding a replacement for Singletary won't be easy.
"Beaumont was very lucky to have Chief Singletary," Williams said.
Candidates must have at least five years of experience in law enforcement and they will have to make it past a four step hiring process, according to Williams.
"We will put together an interview panel made up of people from our community. We want everyone represented on this panel," he said.
The 10-15 community members on the panel will interview potential candidates. Karen Alfred, a Beaumont resident, thinks it could be a good idea.
"If they pick people who were knowledgeable and can pose questions that really pertain to residents, then I think it could be positive," said Alfred.
Beaumont Mayor Roy West agrees with the guidelines.
"A Police Chief has to relate well to the community," he said.
Williams says once the panel provides feedback, the candidates will go before city leaders.
"We'll have the executive team of City Manager and we will interview the finalists. Then I will appoint someone to the city council for recommendation for confirmation," said Williams.
The city hopes to have a permanent Chief hired by June 30, 2024.
"This is our opportunity to also get clarity we just want to make sure as the City Manager does we get the best possible hire," West said.
They want to have an interim chief in place between March 1-15.