Ten applicants so far for Spokane police chief job

Ten people have applied to be chief of the Spokane Police Department so far, which is considered a “high” number of applicants by the recruiter leading the search, according to Heather Lowe, the city’s human resources director.

During the monthly meeting of the city’s Finance Committee, Lowe told members of the City Council the recruiter, Tommy Ingram of Strategic Government Resources, expected “an influx of applications at the last minute,” as is typical in job searches. She noted that the city didn’t expect to fill the position until sometime this summer.

“We are not tied to the July 1” deadline, referring to the date interim Chief Jim McDevitt will leave City Hall, Lowe said. “If that means an Aug. 1 start date, then that’s the start date that that means.”

Lowe said city officials “haven’t discussed” whether McDevitt will be replaced by another interim chief if a permanent replacement is not found before he leaves.

When the posting closes on May 18, the search firm will turn over the names and applications of everyone who meets the job’s basic qualifications. At that point, a selection committee will choose the top four or five candidates to bring to Spokane. Those candidates will be interviewed in person and will interact with the public.

According to the job posting, the new chief will be paid between $148,686 to $185,532 a year.

The new chief will replace Frank Straub, who was pushed out of City Hall by Condon five months after Condon heard sexual harassment allegations against Straub. The search process for Straub’s replacement has been marred by conflict among members of the volunteer advisory committee tasked with providing input on the job description and hiring process, ultimately resulting in chairwoman Mary Ann Murphy’s resignation in March.