Interim’s stay in Gustine will end in mid-February

GUSTINE - Deliberations are continuing on whether the city will conduct an open recruitment search for a new police chief or hire a new top cop from inside the department.

City Manager Margaret Silveira said she hopes to make a decision by next week on how the city will fill the position.

Interim Police Chief Jeff Schindler has stepped in to lead the department since the city bought out the contract of Richard Calderon after just eight months on the job.

Schindler has done an excellent job, Silveira said, but retirement restrictions allow him to serve no more than six months on the job so Schindler can stay only until mid-February.

If the city conducts an open recruitment, it would probably not be able to have a new chief on board by the time Schindler departs.

“We do have qualified staff who could step in as acting chief on an interim basis if needed,” the city manager pointed out. “We are running short on time, and may have to have a little bit of infill during that time if we are recruiting a new police chief.”

Hiring a new police chief from existing ranks is still an option, Silveira said. One current staff member has expressed an interest in the position.

“We are taking a look at all of our options,” Silveira reiterated. “We want to get somebody who is well qualified, but cost is also a factor to be considered. Budget constraints are going to make it difficult.”

The decision on whether to hire from within or open up the position technically rests with Silveira, but she has been conferring with the City Council.

“It is such an important role,” she reflected. “It is important that everybody is on the same page with this.”

The city’s police chief position has been a magnet for controversy in recent years.

Former Police Chief Kris Anderson, who was well-liked by many in the community but whose leadership style was criticized by officers within the department, stepped down following his DUI arrest in early 2008.

Devon Stavrowsky, who was brought aboard by Anderson to help with a critical shortage of officers, became acting chief but was relieved of his duties later in the year.

Calderon joined the department in January. He was told in August that his services were no longer needed, and the city bought out the final four months of his contract.

Silveira acknowledged that the turmoil has taken a toll.

“I feel bad for the officers and the community with the changes that have gone on,” she commented. “They need that stability and leadership in the department.”