Southwick Police Department. (WNG File Photo)
SOUTHWICK – The deadline for applications for the Chief of Police position were due on Nov. 17, and it has been announced that there are four internal candidates.
According to Select Board Chairman Doug Moglin, the board will officially release the names of the candidates at their next meeting on Monday night. The Select Board will then schedule a day and time to begin the interview process.
Karl Stinehart, the Chief Administrative Officer for the town, is overseeing the board’s process.
“They’ll be following a very gradual process,” said Stinehart.
Southwick Police Department. (WNG File Photo)
While the board wants to take their time with selecting the next police chief, they also want to make a decision sooner rather than later since the budget process will begin soon leading up to the new fiscal year starting on July 1. The board plans on having a new chief by the beginning of the next calendar year and Moglin noted how important it will be for the incoming chief to learn from the current chief, David Ricardi, about the budget process.
“For most of the fiscal year, they’re going to own it,” said Moglin.
When the process for finding a new Police Chief began it was announced that they would like to promote from within the department if possible. Moglin said he is looking forward to interviewing the four candidates, whom the board members are all familiar with.
“We kind of know who these people are,” said Moglin. “The interview process is going to be important, but it’s not like were interviewing total strangers.”
Ricardi is set to retire in June 2018 after serving as the chief since 2013.
