Interim police chief, Deputy Chief Michael Cabral. City solicits input for next top cop Lee Durocher What do you want in a new Somerville police chief? That's what city officials are asking residents in a new survey after former chief Anthony Holloway left for Florida. The results of the survey will be included as part of the search agenda.

"The Police Chief ultimately serves all of the residents of Somerville, and it's essential that we incorporate community members' thoughts and concerns in the selection process," Curtatone said in a statement announcing the search.

The city employee charged with conducting the survey is Jessie Baker, director of personnel. She cited other successes of citizen input for city programs such as SomerVision, ResiStat, and 311.

This is the second time that a resident survey was included along with the search criteria for a new Police Chief. The first time that a survey was used was in 2007 when Holloway was selected to replace Robert Bradley.

The survey was conducted online with a link given to residents to give their input. People who logged in were given a list of characteristics and asked to select them from a range of "Not important" to "Extremely Important."

According to Baker, 109 residents took part in the survey, up from 50 who took the 2007 survey.

Baker said the input of residents will have a significant impact on the overall selection process, yet this is only one part. Baker will also chair a nine-member Selection Committee made up of community members and an outside consultant, hired from the executive recruiting firm Waters Consulting Group, Inc.. The committee will select finalists and conduct interviews. There will also be a public forum with the final candidates where residents can ask questions.

Baker said there are currently no potential candidates. Within the upcoming weeks publicity materials will be sent out based upon the survey results to candidates. Baker said that the consultant is currently finalizing recruitment materials based upon his meeting with the Selection Committee, key community stakeholders and Mayor Curtatone.

There were many considerate responses to the survey according to Baker. Many characteristics were expressed as being important to residents, most important of all is integrity. This was by far the number one characteristic choice. Some of the other traits which residents found important were: experience with diverse communities, a commitment to community policing, an understanding of the importance of being visible and accountable to residents, and someone who will be committed to the community.

The input of residents is a crucial part of the selection process for the new Police Chief of Somerville. The recent survey which sought out the input of residents is a testament to the diverse needs of the city and what is important to citizens. The results of the survey will assist the Selection Committee to make a recommendation for the position with the final approval coming from the Mayor. With the success of other programs in the city due in large part to citizen input it is no wonder that they are once again asked for their help in the selection process. In the end, the Police Chief is in charge of the safety for the city's residents and it is the belief of Mayor Curtatone and the Selection Committee that residents should have the final say over who protects them.