Diversity, Fairness Vital For New Chief Citizens Offer Thoughts On Mangan Successor

The committee charged with hiring Spokane’s new police chief should find a person who emphasizes diversity and fairness, residents said Thursday.

A citizens group placed those attributes above dozens of others during the second of two brainstorming sessions on who should replace Police Chief Terry Mangan.

“Each idea is very valuable. We will consider all of them,” said Spokane City Manager Bill Pupo. “The chief’s position is an important one. We’ll look and see how people have prioritized and will develop our job description and job advertisement from that.”

A hiring committee, which includes Pupo as well as representatives from Spokane neighborhoods and organizations, also will use the information to evaluate candidates during interviews, Pupo said.

The committee will start the search in January. Mangan will retire in July.

The next police chief should believe in the city’s Community Oriented Policing program, establish high internal standards for officers and be a forward thinker, according to the recommendations by the citizens group. Mangan’s replacement should also be able to acknowledge failure, fight against racism and be able to interact with diverse groups in the city, the group said.

Spokane resident Liz Moore made a plea to the committee Thursday to keep residents part of the hiring process.

“This is a crucial community decision. There aren’t enough people involved,” Moore said. “We have to be really sure we say what we want.”

The 24-year-old said she joined the brainstorming sessions to have a hand in city decisions.

“I want a police chief who knows his job is to serve the community and everyone in it fairly,” she said.

Anyone with comments or concerns regarding the search should call Pupo’s office at 625-6110. Suggestions may be mailed to Dorothy Webster, Assistant City Manager, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane WA 99201.

, DataTimes