Brookline To Begin Interviews With Police Chief Candidates

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline is set to begin the first round of interviews with police chief candidates this week, according to Town Administrator Mel Kleckner.

The interviews will be conducted by Town Administrator Kleckner, the search consultant Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and a screening panel of Brookline residents. In order to protect the confidentiality of candidates for this position, the process will remain confidential until Kleckner recommends a candidate to the Select Board for review and approval.

Last fall, Kleckner worked with PERF to engage with the community via a survey, focus group meetings and two public input forums. After input was gathered from the community, a profile for a job posting was finalized and posted in early December, with a deadline of Jan. 10. Once applications were received, Kleckner, PERF, and the screening panel met to review the candidate pool.

"I am grateful for the input we received from the community as part of this search process, and for the applications from a number of qualified candidates who we look forward to interviewing soon," said Kleckner in a statement. "Our next police chief should be a forward-thinking and compassionate leader who can earn the respect of the entire Brookline community, and I look forward to hearing from all candidates directly."

Finalists will be interviewed again later in February and a thorough background investigation will be conducted on the selected candidate or candidates.

Kleckner said he anticipates making a recommendation to the Select Board in late February or early March.