Community involvement is key for next Coralville police chief

CORALVILLE - Coralville officials are looking for someone who is more than just a department leader as they work to select their next police chief.

'They need to be willing to be involved in the community,” said City Administrator Kelly Hayworth.

Hayworth said community involvement is 'critical” for whoever replaces retiring Police Chief Barry Bedford. Hayworth said officials are looking for a police chief who volunteers their time with service clubs, youth programs and other efforts in the community.

'We really expect them to be involved in a lot of different ways,” Hayworth said.

Coralville is well into the process of replacing Bedford, who said in October he is retiring after 42 years with Coralville. He was hired as a police officer in 1974 and promoted - by Hayworth - to chief in 1988.

Hayworth said Des Moines-based Moulder and Associates Police Consultants has presented the city with a list of 16 applicants. It's now up to the city's Civil Service Commission - comprised of three Coralville citizens - to winnow that list to 10 candidates. Hayworth said he then plans to select five finalists.

In January, those finalists are to be in Coralville for a couple of events. The first, on Jan. 13, is an open house where community members can meet and speak with the chief candidates. On Jan. 14, the candidates are to go through an assessment center in which other law enforcement officials put the candidates through written and verbal scenarios.

Following those two events, Hayworth will make a recommendation to the City Council.

Bedford has said he plans to stick around as long as needed to ensure a smooth transition for the next chief. Hayworth said the candidates have been encouraged to reach out to Bedford, speak with him and 'get a good feel for our community.”

Hayworth said Bedford has excelled at being involved in the community, and that provided a benefit to the city.

'People know him,” he said. 'They felt a lot more comfortable approaching him if they had a question or an issue.”

Leadership experience, experience working with diverse communities and creativity also are vital characteristics for the next chief, Hayworth said.

Hayworth said he hopes to have the new chief in place by the beginning of February.