By George P. Hassett Somerville residents will have a chance to grill the candidates for the city's open police chief job at a public Q&A session July 7 in City Hall. On Tuesday, City Hall announced the six finalists to replace former Police Chief Anthony Holloway, who left the job two years into a five year contract, to return as chief to the Clearwater, Florida police department, where he had been a captain.

The finalists are: Acting Somerville Chief Michael Cabral, Fitchburg Chief Robert DeMoura, Haverhill Police Chief Alan DeNaro, Area Police Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration Thomas Pasquarello, Idaho Falls, Idaho Police Chief Steve Roos, and Lowell Police Captain William Taylor.

The field will be further narrowed to three to five candidates for the July 7 public question and answer session, moderated by selection committee member Dorie Clark.

Following the public interview process, Mayor Curtatone will visit the home police departments of each candidate before making a final recommendation to the Board of Aldermen for their approval.

"I commend the selection committee on their hard work over the last several months, and for their consideration of these six outstanding candidates," Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said. "I am eager not only to hear input from the Somerville community, but also to visit the home police departments of each finalist to assess performance and achievements, including the review of our own Acting Chief Michael Cabral. This is an important process, and I will leave no stone unturned in order to ensure that I select the best possible candidate for the job."

Alderman-at-Large Jack Connolly said residents can send comments on the city's next top cop choice until July 14 to Chiefsearch@somervillema.gov.

If a candidate other than Cabral is selected it will be the fifth chief in six years for the Somerville police department.

The selection committee that narrowed the field included staff from Curtatone's office, residents appointed by aldermen, members of the city's multi-cultural commission and police union leaders.

Under the terms of the police selection ordinance passed in 2005, the selection panel is required to submit at least three but no more than five final candidates to the mayor and a community meeting must be held for the public to provide input.
The candidates
Acting Somerville Police Chief, Michael Cabral, has been a member of the Somerville Police Department since 1987. In 2008 he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief and was named Acting Chief upon the departure of Chief Anthony Holloway. Acting Chief Cabral has a BS in Law Enforcement from Western New England College and a MA in Criminal Justice Administration from Anna Maria College.