Monterey Soon To Begin Search For New Police Chief

Monterey Mayor Alex Garcia said the town will likely begin the search for a new police chief next month.

Garcia said the Board of Aldermen scheduled a work session for December 12. Garcia said once the search begins he will be considering all options for hiring a new police chief.

“You always want a chief that the guys are going to like but that he could you know discipline as well obviously,” Garcia said. “But if you know,  your guys don’t like your chief then you are not going to get a bunch done and they are not going to work for him so we definitely want somebody that’s got character.”

Garcia said as of now he does not have a timeline of when he would like to have a new police chief. The town’s Civil Service Board voted to fire former police chief Bill Randolph earlier this month.

Garcia said having Chris Clayburn as the Interim Police Chief allows Monterey to not have to scramble and hire a new police chief.

“I had a download with him yesterday just kind of asking him what’s going on and what he thinks and you know what he is doing to get through,” Garcia said. “He assured me things are going smooth and things are running right.”

Garcia said Clayburn is having to fill in the gaps as the police department is looking to hire and fill multiple positions.

“We have a couple of positions open for officers,” Garcia said. “Obviously we have the chief position open and we have the detective position open.  We got an officer out right now till the third so he is making all the necessary adjustments to make everything work.”

The Monterey Board of Aldermen work session will be held at Monterey City Hall on December 12th at 7pm.