2025-09-19 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Regular Session Minutes September 19,2025 Page 7 in the interrogatories, which will be sent to the candidates. After reviewing the candidates’ responses, the commission will decide who to interview. Henoted that if additional time is needed, it can be taken, and a special meeting could be scheduled if needed and desired. The pace and approach are at the commission’s discretion.Headdedthat if needed, the commission can form a permitted interaction group (PIG) to review interrogatories and recommend a top group of candidates (e.g., top five or another number determined by the commission). The full commission must then review the PIG’s recommendations and make the final selection. The PIG may also conduct interviews to narrow down the pool(e.g., top 10) down to the finalists, but the commission as a whole is responsible for interviewing the final candidates and making the ultimate selection. Vice Chair Bertsch expressed that when conducting public interviews of the final candidates, the commission shouldtelevise the sessions. He requested additional staffing assistance to support the secretary, noting that the last selection process was demanding for her. DCC Salas-Ferguson explained that if the commission holds an interactive remote meeting, the public must be allowed to participate via Zoom. However, if the commission chooses only to film or stream the meeting, the public may watch but not interact. Vice Chair Bertsch asked whether public testimony is required during the interview process. DCC Salas-Ferguson confirmed that the public has the right to provide testimony at any commission meeting. Heclarified that remote participation via Zoom is required for interactive meetings, but for one-way streams, such as broadcasting via Facebook, participation is not required. Commissioner Tavares stated that the drafted timeline seems reasonable. Chair Robinson and Vice Chair Bertsch expressed no opposition, noting it is similar to the previous selection process, but emphasized the importance of filling the chief position as soon as possible. Tavares suggested reviewing individual items to identify areas that could be compressed to expedite the process. Vice Chair Bertsch noted that in the last selection, recruitment opened on August 1 and closed on August 28, with a chief appointed by December 16. Hehighlighted the need to act quickly, as other counties are also recruiting, and the early bird gets the best candidates. Commissioner Botelho proposed starting recruitment on November 2, describing it as aggressive, but Vice Chair Bertsch questioned the need to wait two months, suggesting posting immediately once the announcement is finalized. Chair Robinson confirmed general agreement on the announcement, with updates madeto the salary and recruitment dates.He emphasized the commission’s responsibilityto the community and the department to fill the chief position as soonas possible.