City of El Paso hires firm to conduct national search for new police chief
Published: Tue, 03/28/23
City of El Paso hires firm to conduct national search for new police chief
El Paso Police Department unit (credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
CBS 4 News
by Fallon Fischer
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso City Council members on Monday received an update on the process to hire a new police chief.
Deputy City Manager Mario D'Agostino said the city has hired a recruitment firm to conduct a national search for candidates.
Strategic Government Resources has more than 700 local government clients in 47 states and will look for candidates from across the country including anyone from El Paso.
"This process is going to be extensive. Right now we're still developing what that timeline looks like because we want to make sure we capture everyone's input," said D'Agostino.
Before a search begins, there will be a series of meetings with community stakeholders to gather input about what qualities they would like the new chief to possess.
D'Agostino said the city also plans to launch a survey for residents to fill out.
"So it will be a nationwide search and we'll put out those deliverables were looking for," D'Agostino said.
Once candidates are chosen, city leaders plan to hold events so members of the public can meet the applicants before a final selection is made.
D'Agostino said the entire process of creating a survey, analyzing the feedback, posting the job, reviewing applications, conducting evaluations, interviews and selecting a new police chief will take "several months."
The cost of hiring the search firm starts at $27,000 but could increase depending on the amount of outreach that is conducted, according to a spokesperson for the city.
"The cost will very likely increase because we do want to get a lot of community input in this position," said Laura Cruz-Acosta, the City of El Paso strategic communications director.
Mayor Oscar Leeser and Rep. Henry Rivera said they would like to see someone from El Paso take over the role.
"I believe the next chief should be a homegrown product who’s already serving our community, who knows the community well,” said Rivera at Monday's City Council work session.
Interim Police Chief Peter Pacillas has been leading the department since late Police Chief Greg Allen died on Jan. 17.
Interim El Paso police chief Peter Pacillas
(credit: El Paso Police Department)