Woman in leadership give their advice to 2 candidates for Springfield police chief
Springfield Police Division is poised to appoint its first female police chief as two candidate advance to the next stage in the city’s search.
Springfield Police Captain Allision Elliot and Columbus Police Deputy Chief Jennifer Knight have advanced to the next round of the search, a city spokesperson announced Tuesday.
>> RELATED: Springfield Police Chief announces retirement
The city received 32 applications after the job opening was posted in September. Current Springfield Police Division Chief Lee Graf previously announced that he would retire on Dec. 30.
The list of applicants was narrowed down to seven last month. After they were interviewed, the group was narrowed down to four. Each of those applicants then underwent an assessment last week and the two final applicants were selected.
Bryan Heck, Springfield City Manager, said the selection process for the position has been “difficult, as so many qualified and skilled people” applied for the position.
“This speaks highly of our community and its progress; like other municipalities, our city staff as a whole has become more diversified in recent years, leading us to what will be the appointment of the first female chief of the Springfield Police Division,” Heck said.
Two women in the force in the Miami Valley gave their advice to the applicants.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” said Yellow Springs Police Chief Paige Burge.
Burge decided to flip the script and in March when Yellow Springs named her as its first police chief.
“It feels like a lot of pressure.. but nonetheless, it’s a blessing really, it really is,” Burge said.
When Deb Burchett won the sheriff’s race in 2016, that was a first for Clark County.
Burchett said it was not easy making it to the top, but she hopes by doing so she can inspire young girls to do the same.
Burchett and Burge gave their advice to the new candidates.
“Stay true to who you are and don’t try to be one of the boys,” Burge said.
“My advice to any female that wants to rise to the top in management is not to dwell on your gender. Set your mind to what you want and how far you want to go in law enforcement. Do not let anyone break your spirit,” Burchett said.
Heck said there is a final round of interviews next week and he hopes to introduce the new chief after that.
