By George P.  Hassett

The city is undergoing an extensive, multi-step process and paying $21,000 to a Texas  consulting firm to find its next top cop. However, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone is already on the record as saying his mind is made up. In a Sept. 2005 interview with the Somerville News, Curtatone said Acting Chief Robert R. Bradley would be his pick.

‚ÄúHe’ll be my first choice based on his capabilities,‚Äù he said of Bradley in the interview. Bradley is one of the candidates for the permanent post.

At the time, Curtatone did not have appointing authority but a home rule petition passed by aldermen and approved by the legislature has since given him that power. City officials announced this week the recruitment process to the select a permanent chief for the police department has drawn 45 applicants from states as far away as Texas, Florida and Arizona. Eighteen of the applicants are from New England states with seven are currently serving as police chiefs in other municipalities. 

The city’s recruitment consulting firm, the Waters Oldani Group of Dallas, Texas, has mailed detailed questionnaires to the initial candidate pool. Based on the results and a review of the candidates’ credentials, Personnel Director Richard Tranfaglia and Waters Oldani consultant Chuck Rohre will select 16 semi-finalists by May 23. The city appropriated $21,000 to pay Waters Oldani in November 2006.

The process in finding a new top law enforcement official has seen several delays since it began when previous chief George F. McLean retired March 7, 2005. After the legislature approved removing the selection process for the chief from civil service in August 2006, Curtatone said he expected the position to be filled by the end of 2006. In November 2006 Tranfaglia said the city planned to start the interview process in mid-February and make a decision in mid-March. In a release this week Tranfaglia downplayed the delays and said the important thing is to find the right person for the job.

‚ÄúI‚Äôd be the first to acknowledge that we‚Äôre behind schedule on this process,‚Äù said Tranfaglia.  ‚ÄúWe‚Äôd originally hoped to have this wrapped up by last month. The most important thing, however, is to do this right: to cast our nets widely, and to keep the process open, transparent and accountable.  I‚Äôm very pleased with the results so far, and I think the selection panel and the public will be, too.‚Äù

A selection panel will work to narrow the candidate list and select from three to five finalists to submit to the mayor, who will make the final selection and recommend one of the finalists to the Board of Aldermen for their approval.

The selection panel consists of Tranfaglia, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, Multicultural Commissioner Director Aru Manrique, Somerville residents Ray Perrone, John Carreiro, Howard Horton and Jacques Dessin, officer Bernadette Sullivan from the Patrolmen’s Union and officer Daniel Hyde from the Superior Officer’s Union.
In a release, Curtatone said the panel and the process surrounding the selection will be public and transparent.

‚ÄúBy the time I make my selection, the public will have had a chance to hear from all the finalists in a public forum that will also be broadcast on local cable,‚Äù said Curtatone.  ‚ÄúEveryone in the city will have a good understanding of the strengths and qualifications of each candidate, and be able to make an informed judgment about my choice.‚Äù