Cedar Rapids selects International Association of Chiefs of Police as consultant on police chief search

CEDAR RAPIDS — The city of Cedar Rapids has selected a national organization to conduct a search to find its next police chief.

The Cedar Rapids City Council on Tuesday signed off on a contract with Alexandria, Virginia-based International Association of Chiefs of Police to search for a new individual to lead the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The city will pay the organization an amount not to exceed $62,650.

The search is anticipated to start July 1, 2023 and will last “through hire date” of the police chief, according to council documents.

The nine-member council, with two members absent, approved the contract on the consent agenda, where routine items are considered with no discussion.

Applications were scored of four potential search firms that responded to the city’s request for qualifications. The selected firm scored the highest, coming in at 788.35. The others were:

Cedar Rapids is launching a nationwide search for a new police chief to succeed Chief Wayne Jerman, who retired in April after turning 66 and aging out of his certification.

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The search comes after Jerman reached a severance agreement with the city to retire after 10 years with the department and a 44-year career in law enforcement. The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, which handles officer certifications, maintained that certifications must expire past age 65. Jerman turned 66 in March. He was paid more than $188,000 a year.

The police chief oversees operations of the department that is made up of 270 full-time equivalents, according to the city budget. Cedar Rapids’ population is about 138,000.

City Manager Jeff Pomeranz previously told The Gazette the process is expected to take about six months.

It will involve input from the community and council members, Pomeranz said. The Citizen Review Board that provides oversight of local law enforcement also will have involvement in the search.

The consultant will visit Cedar Rapids and meet with a variety of groups and individuals to scope the position and understand the priorities people want in a police chief, Pomeranz said.

Internal candidates may apply. Pomeranz said the city anticipates the candidate selected to assume the role will likely be a lieutenant or higher rank.

Once the city has applications, the consultant will help narrow down options to a final group of individuals. Pomeranz will visit places where the applicants work and a background check will be done before a final recommendation is brought to council.

Overall, city officials have said they seek a police chief who leads with honesty and integrity, is experienced with a complex policing environment and can bring new approaches. This person should also be willing to work with the entire community, Pomeranz said, within the city organization and beyond.

“We are not oblivious to the fact that we are a safe community, but we certainly have our challenges … so that's going to be important that there's experience there, and then that individual will be able to make recommendations that will help us look at our crime issues,” Pomeranz previously said.

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com