Crime & Safety
Somerville Announces Police Chief Search Firm Listening Sessions
Two virtual sessions will take place as GovHR gathers feedback from the public about the qualities they would like to see in a new chief.
SOMERVILLE, MA — A few weeks after announcing that GovHR will lead the search for a new police chief, the City of Somerville has revealed that the firm will conduct two virtual, public listening sessions in the coming weeks.
The Northbrook, Illinois-based executive search firm will lead one session from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 and a second from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on March 9. The first session will feature live ASL interpretation and transcription services. The second session will have live interpretation in ASL, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Nepali, Cantonese and Mandarin, in addition to live transcription services.
"The listening sessions are an early opportunity for community members to voice their goals, concerns and expectations of both the search process and prospective candidates," the city said in a statement. "Community feedback will serve as an invaluable tool as GovHR begins its extensive recruitment process."
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Sommerville community members can register online for the Feb. 28 session, or by calling 311 or 617-666-3311. Information about registration for the March 9 session will be shared at a later date.
Ahead of the listening sessions, community members are asked to consider the qualities they hope the next police chief will possess, including experience and areas of emphasis.
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This, the city said, will help ensure that GovHR identifies candidates with the requisite qualifications and principles to lead the Somerville PD.
Chief David Fallon was the longtime Somerville PD chief until his retirement in December 2020. Charles Femino has served as acting chief since Fallon left the job.
According to Somerville officials, GovHR has over 30 years of experience recruiting for leadership positions in the public sector and has successfully recruited for nearly 80 chief of police roles in 14 states.
Officials said GovHR's rigorous recruitment process to identify candidates for the job is expected to take place over the next several months.
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