The city of Fresno has found a firm to conduct its search for the next police chief, and it will soon reach out to the public for input.

Public Sector Search and Consulting will begin looking nationwide for candidates to take the job of the city’s top cop, according to a news release from the city.

The city also has four online meetings scheduled to give the public a chance to voice the qualities and qualifications they want in the candidates. A survey link will go out to the public for people to complete.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said he wants to be methodical and take the time to find the right person.

“Arguably, the most important director position in the city of Fresno or in any city, for that matter is the police chief,” said Dyer. “Whenever there’s controversy in the community, whenever there’s a loss of trust or crime waves, you want to make sure you have the right person at the helm.”

Fresno Could Identify Top Six Candidates in 90 Days

Public Sector Search solely works to find law enforcement leadership, according to its website. Made up of former police chiefs, the Rocklin-based organization has found candidates in Sacramento, San Francisco, Dallas, San Jose, and dozens of other cities.

Seven total firms applied for the contract, which is not to exceed $54,000.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said he hadn’t worked with the group but had heard about their work in other cities.

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Dyer said he wants someone who knows how to deal with the dynamics of a major city with high poverty and crime rates.

The mayor and City Manager Georgeanne White have already selected 40 community members to solicit information from the public. The committee members are from community-based organizations, the medical and education fields, and the city council.

Combining all that information, Public Sector Search will create a recruitment form to be sent out nationwide.

“At some point over the next two and a half months or so, three months, we’ll narrow that selection down to about five or six of the top candidates and then we’ll start our interview process,” Dyer said.

Disclosing interviewees before they are offered the job can threaten an applicant’s current job, Dyer said.

Community members will be involved in panel interviews and provide input.

Related Story: Mindy Casto Now Heads Fresno PD. She Wants to Focus on ‘Wild ...

How Did We Get Here?

Former Police Chief Paco Balderrama resigned in June. Balderrama faced allegations of having an affair with the wife of another police officer under his command.

Current Police Chief Mindy Casto took the interim role shortly after Balderrama’s resignation. In a July interview with GV Wire, Casto said she had not decided whether she wanted the full-time job.