Police Chief Search

The town will be conducting a search for the next Police Chief.  Listening sessions are an early opportunity for community members to voice their values, hopes, and expectations for an incoming Police Chief. “Community feedback will serve as an invaluable tool as GovHR begins its work in assisting the Town recruit a new Police Chief,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. Learn more about the process and how you can be involved below, including an online feedback form. 

PROCESS

In accordance with the Town Charter, the Town is engaged in a search to ensure that the person appointed by the Town Manager is done on the basis of merit “demonstrated by examination, past performance, or other evidence of competence” and shall be a person “especially fitted by education, training, and previous work experience to perform the duties of the office or position”. (See section 6.2 of the Town Charter.) 

The Town Manager has asked the Human Resources Director to be the staff lead in recruiting, interviewing, and recommending finalist candidates to the Town Manager. To support this work, the Town Manager will appoint an advisory screening committee to assist in the review of applications and conduct the initial interviews of candidates. I will ask the advisory screening committee to provide me with advice and counsel on the appointment.

We have engaged a professional search firm, GovHR, Inc. https://www.govhrusa.com/ to conduct outreach to the community; develop a position profile; support the Human Resources Director in advertising and recruiting; develop interview standards and questions; and conduct a background check on the appointed candidate.

Listening Sessions

There will be two initial public in-person listening sessions:

  • Tuesday September 12th at 9:00 a.m. Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002
  • Tuesday, September 12th at 6:00 p.m. Woodbury Room, Jones Library, 43 Amity Street, Amherst, MA 01002

Background & Resources

Amherst Police Chief Search - Public Feedback Form

  2. The town will be conducting a search for the next Police Chief.  We want to hear from our community members and allow them to voice their values, hopes, and expectations for an incoming Police Chief. “Community feedback will serve as an invaluable tool as GovHR begins its work in assisting the Town recruit a new Police Chief,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. Learn more about the process and listening sessions at www.amherstma.gov/apdchief Please use the below form to share your thoughts with the search team. 

    Your feedback will remain anonymous unless you choose to supply or include self- identifying information. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. 

  12. Which of the following best describes you? You may select more than one. *
    16. Leave This Blank:

  18. This field is not part of the form submission.