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As the city of Grand Junction closes in on its choice to head the police department, the odds-on-favorite would appear to be interim chief John S. Camper.
Camper, a 28-year law enforcement veteran, has been at the helm of the Grand Junction Police Department for about five months. He came to Grand Junction from the Lakewood Police Department where he is a division chief. Camper has essentially been on loan.
He replaced former Chief Bill Gardner, who vacated his position Sept. 4. Camper, who said he did not “anticipate being a candidate for chief” when he was hired on an interim basis, apparently had a change of heart.
We recognize things can change, and really cannot blame the man for wanting to stick around River City.
We also recognize that Camper has the advantage of having worked in the position for months. Some might say that could also be a disadvantage.
Nevertheless it has given City Manager Laurie Kadrich, who is ultimately charged with hiring the next police chief, an up close opportunity to assess Camper.
There is little doubt, at least in our mind's eye, had Kadrich seen something of troubling nature during the past few months that Camper probably would not be among the six finalists for the position.
The other finalists are: Gary W. Adams, chief of police in University Park, Texas, Craig S. Black, the assistant chief of police in West Valley, Utah, and Chris E. Sutter, assistant chief of police at the Vancouver, Wash., Police Department. Mark A. Puthuff, police chief in Fort Bragg, Calif., and Robert K. Richardson, operations commander at the Irvine Police Department in California, round out the list of finalists.
The police chief works for the city manager, and the choice does not have to be approved by the City Council. But it stands to reason that Kadrich is not going to hire a police chief who does not get along well with the City Council.
Each candidate is scheduled to be in town next week for a multiple-day assessment process.
That process is going to involve a number of other people at different levels, including city department heads, law enforcement personnel and community leaders.
The city, based on a position description, feels the ideal candidate is to possess the following background, traits and skills: Integrity, empathy, an excellent communicator, collaborator and leader.
We would agree. We would also hope that whoever emerges, as the police chief, will be here for a long time.
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Members of the Free Press Editorial Board are Publisher Valerie J. Smith, Managing Editor Tracy Dvorak, and Staff Writer Wyatt Haupt Jr.
Camper, a 28-year law enforcement veteran, has been at the helm of the Grand Junction Police Department for about five months. He came to Grand Junction from the Lakewood Police Department where he is a division chief. Camper has essentially been on loan.
He replaced former Chief Bill Gardner, who vacated his position Sept. 4. Camper, who said he did not “anticipate being a candidate for chief” when he was hired on an interim basis, apparently had a change of heart.
We recognize things can change, and really cannot blame the man for wanting to stick around River City.
We also recognize that Camper has the advantage of having worked in the position for months. Some might say that could also be a disadvantage.
Nevertheless it has given City Manager Laurie Kadrich, who is ultimately charged with hiring the next police chief, an up close opportunity to assess Camper.
There is little doubt, at least in our mind's eye, had Kadrich seen something of troubling nature during the past few months that Camper probably would not be among the six finalists for the position.
The other finalists are: Gary W. Adams, chief of police in University Park, Texas, Craig S. Black, the assistant chief of police in West Valley, Utah, and Chris E. Sutter, assistant chief of police at the Vancouver, Wash., Police Department. Mark A. Puthuff, police chief in Fort Bragg, Calif., and Robert K. Richardson, operations commander at the Irvine Police Department in California, round out the list of finalists.
The police chief works for the city manager, and the choice does not have to be approved by the City Council. But it stands to reason that Kadrich is not going to hire a police chief who does not get along well with the City Council.
Each candidate is scheduled to be in town next week for a multiple-day assessment process.
That process is going to involve a number of other people at different levels, including city department heads, law enforcement personnel and community leaders.
The city, based on a position description, feels the ideal candidate is to possess the following background, traits and skills: Integrity, empathy, an excellent communicator, collaborator and leader.
We would agree. We would also hope that whoever emerges, as the police chief, will be here for a long time.
-------------------------
Members of the Free Press Editorial Board are Publisher Valerie J. Smith, Managing Editor Tracy Dvorak, and Staff Writer Wyatt Haupt Jr.
