From now through Feb. 7, the City of Powell is accepting applications for a new police chief. The city officially kicked off its search on Friday, seeking a law enforcement professional “with command-level experience, a community policing mind-set and strong leadership capabilities.”

The city hopes to interview finalists in late February.

According to the job description, candidates must have at least eight years of experience in law enforcement, including five years as a supervisor, plus “college or university training” in a law enforcement-related field.

The city says its ideal candidate is an “excellent” communicator who values accountability, has a high degree of personal integrity, is diplomatic,
“understands and appreciates the significance of a small-town, rural lifestyle” and is “committed to keeping the community safe,” among other criteria.

The listed salary range for the position is $79,331 to $117,395.

In conjunction with an outside consultant, KRW Associates, the city put together a seven-page packet that includes not only a description of the job, but also of the Powell area and the police department.

It says the position “is an excellent opportunity to lead a dynamic police department that has enjoyed years of stable leadership” and broad support. The primary challenge, meanwhile, is listed as “recruiting qualified and well-suited officers.”

The department hasn’t had a full roster of 17 sworn officers since early 2021. After having as many as four vacancies, the PD currently has two. Lt. Matt McCaslin said the department is in the midst of a testing process to potentially fill one of the officer roles and expects to begin another process soon.

However, interest in the patrol positions has flagged in recent years amid a broader trend.

“[From the] information I hear around the state, and even things I see across the country, that’s pretty much true for the industry,” said McCaslin, who’s been serving as the city’s interim police chief since Roy Eckerdt’s Dec. 26 retirement.

In addition to those vacancies, the department will soon launch a search for a new community service officer.

Steven Long, who’d served in the community service role for a little over a year, transferred out of the department last week to become the airport equipment operator.

The position at the Powell Municipal Airport had been vacant for some time, City Administrator Zack Thorington told councilmembers at their Jan. 2 meeting.

The operator helps maintain the airport north of town — including by keeping the runways clear of snow and debris, operating the lights, maintaining fuel records, filing notices and keeping the hangars and grounds tidy. The position is shared with the streets department, so Long will help with street maintenance when needed.

“It’ll be kind of both [and] keep him busy,” Thorington told the council. “I think it’ll work out good.”

While the transfer fills a need for the airport, it creates one in the police department, which will soon begin advertising the open community service position. The unsworn, civilian officer is charged with code enforcement and handling some calls related to barking dogs or stray animals.

Applications for the officer positions will be handled internally at the city, while its retained KRW Associates to help field and screen the applications for the chief role. Although the city is conducting a nationwide search, Thorington noted current employees are also welcome to apply for the position.