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departments throughout the nation as to what is the minimum qualification you would want <br />in a Police Chief. <br />MS. JARMAN: My second question is that there is no qualification for somebody to be a <br />Police Commissioner. So, I could be a Police Commissioner, and I really know very little, I <br />know next to nothing about law enforcement. Are you fine with not having any Police <br />Commissioners being required to have some experience in law enforcement? <br />DEP. CHIEF FERREIRA: The Police Commission is an oversight board for the department, <br />so they do not necessarily have to have law enforcement background or experience. They <br />have to have the feel of the community. They have to be able to be appointed to the board, <br />and be receptive to whatever concerns the community would raise, not necessarily knowing <br />what my expertise or my job is. They have to be able to reach out to the community, and the <br />community has to be able to approach them, give them their problems, and trust in them <br />enough to come to them with their concerns. They don't necessarily have to know my job, <br />the police officer's job. That's what we are here for, that's what the attorneys are here for. <br />They can always call us as witnesses; they can always call anyone in the department to <br />explain to them what the actual procedures or policies are. <br />MS. JARMAN: So, you feel that is working well, at this point. <br />DEP. CHIEF FERREIRA: Yes. <br />MS. JARMAN: Okay, thank you very much. <br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Are there any other questions? <br />MR. NAHALE -A: Mr. Ben, are you involved in the recruitment of the Police Chief and the <br />Fire Chief? <br />MR. BEN: Not specifically, but we have been asked, and we have provided assistance when <br />asked. <br />MR. NAHALE -A: In terms of the minimum standards, do you do that research for them? <br />MR. BEN: I don't recall us doing that particular function for them. I think they did it on <br />their own. If I may comment on that point, we need to be very careful when we use the <br />minimum qualifications, to make sure that they are valid and appropriate. Minimum <br />qualifications simply mean that's the minimum you need in order to perform the function of <br />the position. We need to be careful that we don't set artificial minimums that in effect might <br />start disqualifying other candidates who may be otherwise qualified. <br />MR. NAHALE -A: On that note, some of the language in the Charter says, five years of <br />related experience. My hunch is those are worthless words. Anybody can make some kind <br />of connection. This theme keeps coming up over and over again, and it sounds to me like the <br />29 <br />