By Dave Fidlin
SLN Correspondent
Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher will not formally retire for another six months, but city officials are moving swiftly to seek out her successor.
City Manager Cameron Clapper discussed the candidate recruitment process at a Common Council meeting Nov. 21. Clapper and others intricately involved in the first phase emphasized a desire to be as thorough and deliberative as possible.
“We’ve started that process, just because we know that our current chief is planning to depart in late May or early June,” Clapper said.
Based on a timeline Clapper shared at last week’s meeting, the city will formally begin the process this Friday, Dec. 1, by posting the position. Applicants’ materials will be reviewed beginning Jan. 12.
In accordance with state statutes, the Police and Fire Commission will handle the bulk of the recruitment process. The panel has the authority to handle personnel issues related to sworn staff, including hiring, firing and disciplining.
For more on the recruitment of a replacement for the chief position, look at the Nov. 30 edition of the Whitewater Register.
