Hiring Process Approved for New Police Chief

Stressing their desire to seek community input, Hopkinton selectmen on Tuesday night approved a recruitment process for a new police chief.

Police Chief Richard Flannery will retire on July 1 to spend more time with his family.

“We want to make sure the new police chief integrates well into the town and reflects the views of the town,” Vice Chairman Benjamin L. Palleiko said.

Palleiko emphasized the importance of involving the community in the hiring of the new police chief. Palleiko said a community-based, informal group could give the hiring committee input on the decision.

In addition, an outside consulting firm will be involved with the hiring process. Selectman Michelle Gates pointed out the committee had originally discussed an internal hiring process. Director of Human Resources Debbie Hilton-Creek, however, outlined a plan that would use a municipal executive search firm.

“With an outside firm, the objectiveness is there. There’s no question as to the process,” she said. “Sometimes when you do these assessments internally, it’s subjected to criticism we don’t want.”

Hilton-Creek’s first recommendation is to appoint an interim chief, starting no later than June 28.

The second recommendation is a search committee including outgoing Chief Richard Flannery, Hilton-Creek, a personnel committee member, and a neighboring town’s police chief.

Hilton-Creek focused on making the process transparent by allowing the external firm to present a profile of the candidate for the position to the public, in the form of written materials in addition to a recruitment video to be posted on Hopkinton’s town website.

Also included in the process will be an internal assessment of the police department to gain a profile on the position. One member of the search committee will also be appointed to handle all public and media.

The search for viable candidates will conclude by Aug. 31. The decision will be made by Sept. 15.