Falmouth is looking for a new police chief. What kind of person do town leaders want?

Falmouth is in the market for a new police chief, and interim Town Manager Peter Johnson-Staub, who is leading the search, is in the midst of developing a description for the ideal successor.

For the past few weeks, Johnson-Staub has been collecting comments on the experience, qualities and skills the town should look for in its next top cop, as well as the priorities the new chief should have. Weighing in with their two cents are Select Board members, as well as those in the police union. Input was also invited from community members; the deadline to submit comments was Monday.

The town manager ultimately is the one who appoints the police chief, though the Select Board must approve the choice. The search kicked off after longtime Police Chief Edward Dunne recently announced he will retire at the end of May, ending 48 years with the department he's headed for a decade.

As of March 3, Johnson-Staub said the town has received 22 applications for the job — a healthy amount of interest.

Falmouth's Select Board may have a candidate for police chief by April.

The town manager is working with Public Safety Consultants, LLC to help with the selection and to conduct an assessment center for finalists. The International Association of Chiefs of Police says an assessment center is "a powerful tool for making promotional decisions," as it uses "a series of simulated on-the-job challenges to gauge a candidate's ability to perform the target job."

"If all goes according to plan, I would hope to bring forward an appointment for the board's consideration by the end of April," Johnson-Staub noted in written comments about the police chief search included in the Select Board's Jan. 30 meeting packet.

Board members shared their thoughts about the police chief search at that meeting.

Seasonal events and community involvement important to police chief role, Select Board says.

Selectman Douglas Brown said he'd like some emphasis put on the seasonal nature of the town and the importance of the police department supporting events, such as Falmouth's July 4 celebration that requires the force to be on duty.

Candidates, he said, "should know what they're stepping into and what they're going to be asked."

"The town relies on seasonal revenue and these events really enhance that opportunity for our local business," Brown said. "We look to the chief on organizing these big, major events."

Board members also emphasized they want the new chief to take a proactive role in connecting with the community, especially in light of the current state of American policing.

"I would like to see someone who has documented experience of working with the community — actively working within a community — participating in events and discussions and round tables," said Selectwoman Onjalé Scott Price. "I'd like to see someone put in some significant efforts to regaining trust with the community."

Fellow board members agreed.

"They have to have a knowledge of our community. I think that they have to be acutely aware of the racial component of our community. Our police force has to be representative of our community, I can't stress that enough," said Selectman Scott Zylinski.

Board Chairwoman Nancy Taylor said she'd like to see "a leader who empowers, emboldens, encourages risk taking, and someone who creates a team that acknowledges and really encourages other people's opinions and their input and their intelligence."

Creation of a deputy police chief job considered

Zylinski said he'd also like the town to consider appointing a deputy police chief — a role he suggested could be traded for one of the captain's positions. He argued this could not only create better connection and communication between the department's executive officer and the officers, but also allow for sharing of responsibility. Additionally, he said, it would help with succession plans.

"The men and women have another way of looking at how they structure their career path, and we don't lose good officers to other towns," he said. "It's just a way of getting another police chief ready."

Johnson-Staub said all of the Select Board's comments and ideas will be incorporated into interview questions, as well as in developing assessment center exercises as candidates are reviewed. Input from residents and members of the police union will also be taken into account, he said.

Residents can see the police chief job announcement on the town website at https://www.falmouthma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14029/Chief-of-Police.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Falmouth searches for new police chief after Dunne plans retirement