Hollister’s new police chief most likely will not take office
until September because of the number of qualified applicants that
have applied, city officials said.
Hollister’s new police chief most likely will not take office until September because of the number of qualified applicants that have applied, city officials said.
“We have had a good level of interest in the position,” City Manager Dale Shaddox said.
City officials are still accepting applications for the chief’s position until Monday. Once all the applications have been received, Shaddox said officials will probably make an offer to the top candidate in July.
However, by the time the city receives an answer from its prospective finalist and allows that person time to find a place to live and get their affairs in order, it will most likely be sometime in September before he or she begins running the police department.
“If we can do it faster, I’m sure we will,” Shaddox said.
In the meantime, the department will continue under the leadership of interim Police Chief Larry Todd.
“I’ve talked and he said he will stay with us until the new chief is selected,” Shaddox said.
Police Chief Bill Pierpoint, who was hired in 1997 and had two-plus years remaining on his contract, announced in March that he was retiring effective July 1.
Pierpoint said he had been thinking about retiring for quite some time. Although he does not officially step down for more than a month, Pierpoint is currently using the remainder of his vacation time and sick leave he has remaining.
City officials said they are confident the department will continue to function effectively despite the slightly longer than expected wait for a new police chief.
Shaddox and Todd have met with the members of the department to discuss the situation concerning the search for the new chief.
“I think Chief Todd is doing a terrific job,” Shaddox said. “The morale at the police department is up.”
Todd said he knew there was a possibility he might be asked to stay longer than the expected two or three months.
“I signed a contract to come here and serve as interim chief knowing full well that these processes take time,” Todd said.
He said the selection of a permanent chief was important one and should not be done in haste.
Todd, a father of four and grandfather of two, said he wants to help the staff develop confidence as officers and what they represent to the community in his limited time in Hollister.
Pierpoint, who was hired by the city in late 1997, said the three months notice will give officials ample time to hire a new chief and make for an orderly transition.
Pierpoint has not said what his immediate plans are after he retires, but was looking forward to the time off.
“I am looking forward to my retirement and wish the City of Hollister the best of luck with its continued endeavors to provide its residents and visitors a healthy and safe community,” he said in a written statement to the Free Lance.
