Vancouver begins recruitment for next police chief

Vancouver begins recruitment for next police chief

September 19, 2024

Vancouver, Wash. - Today, the City of Vancouver opened the recruitment process to hire Vancouver's next police chief.

"Policing in Vancouver continues to experience change and community safety remains top of mind for many in the community. By conducting an internal recruitment, we are prioritizing continuity, deep institutional knowledge and proven commitment to our community," said incoming City Manager Lon Pluckhahn. "Our internal candidates are proven leaders and have demonstrated their ability to advance the City's policy priorities. This process allows us to build on our established foundation while promoting trust, accountability and stability within the department."

To understand the community's expectations for its next police chief, the City has developed a survey to gather information regarding the attributes and leadership qualities the community would like to see in its next chief. The feedback will be used to identify a pool of candidates who reflect the community's needs. The anonymous survey is located on Be Heard Vancouver and is open through Oct. 4. If online access is unavailable, community members are encouraged to contact the City at 360-487-8712 to receive a paper copy by mail. The City will also host a public forum with the finalists as part of the recruitment activities that will be announced at a later date.

The City is seeking a new chief due to Chief Jeff Mori's recent retirement announcement. Chief Mori is working with the City to ensure a smooth transition before his retirement.

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Contact Info: Laura Shepard, [email protected]