SOUTHWICK – During Monday night’s meeting, the Select Board discussed the process of how they will select the next Chief of Police for the town.
The Southwick Select Board discusses how the next Southwick Police Chief process can start. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
The contract for town employment for the current Chief, David Ricardi, will expire in 2018 at which time he will retire.
During the last Select Board meeting two weeks ago, Vice-Chairman Joe Deedy raised the issue about beginning the Police Chief selection and hiring process and he reiterated that statement on Monday night.
“We need to look at this process sooner rather than later,” said Deedy.
When considering the next Chief, whether it be an outside department hire or promoting from within the Southwick Police Department, Deedy noted that it should be clear that the person selected already have the proper trainings and qualifications in place so that it doesn’t affect Ricardi’s retirement.
Southwick Police Chief Dave Ricardi gets a contract renewal that will extend to June 30, 2018. (WNG File Photo)
Select Board Clerk Russ Fox commented about how the Chief hiring process took place in the past. Besides having police officers within the Southwick Police Department interviewing for the position, qualified candidates from outside the town also had the opportunity.
“It was good to put people through the interview process,” said Fox. “I’d like to see it open up to everybody.”
After listening to both Deedy and Fox’s recommendations, Moglin voiced what he thought would be the best way to move forward.
“I’d like to kind of take a more hybrid approach,” said Moglin.
Moglin believes that individuals internally in the department should have the first chance to earn the position. If the Select Board then feels that they haven’t found the right candidate internally, they will then open it up to external applicants. Moglin feels that this approach could save the Select Board a lot of time, effort, and energy.
For what is ahead, the Select Board will review the job description for the Chief of Police position at the next meeting in two weeks.
