Wausau City Hall. MWC file photo.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The City of Wausau HR manager says the search for new leaders for both the Police and Fire Departments remains on schedule.
James Henderson says the city has received 12 applications for Police Chief and seven applications for Fire Chief. That includes at least one internal candidate on the Police side, with both positions drawing interest from other states. “We have candidates from six states. States as far away as California and Tennessee, just kind of all over the US,” said Henderson.
Both jobs have been advertised nationally and here in Wisconsin for weeks. Henderson says that’s intentional because they want to get the best candidate in the door no matter where they are from. “We think that Deputy [Police Chief Matthew Barnes,] Deputy [Fire Chief Jeremy Kopp], or any of their command staff would be very strong candidates. Both staffs are very satisfied with the direction of the Police and Fire Departments.
“So while we think we are going to have some strong internals, we are going to have an open mind and look at getting the best person for the job,” added Henderson. “The present Chiefs have created a really good culture that we are looking to extend. I think we are in really good hands.”
Henderson says the posting for Fire Chief remains active. If the process continues at its current pace he expects a new Police Chief could be named by late August, with a Fire Chief announcement by late fall.
The Police and Fire Commission will hold two listening sessions this week with current firefighters and paramedics to gather more feedback on what they would like to see in their next leader. One discussion is set for Tuesday afternoon, the other will be held Wednesday morning.
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