For most police chief searches, the process is pretty straightforward. If so inclined, the city manager or Mayor just picks the police chief from an internal candidate pool. Usually, though, the job is advertised, and internal and external candidates apply. However, the hiring authority has no choice in some states and cities as the candidate pool is limited to internal candidates only. For example, the City of Akron's recent announcement that it will only consider internal candidates for the next chief of police highlights a significant challenge posed by a little-known state law. This law mandates that all vacancies above the entry-level in safety forces must be filled internally, a revelation that surfaced during legal consultations. Akron’s decision brings several challenges and considerations regarding local governance and police administration to light. Legal Restrictions and Local Governance The primary challenge stems from the legal straitjacket the city finds itself in due to state law. While the city charter usually allows some leeway, stating that promotions should occur internally "whenever practicable," it does not conflict significantly enough with state law to provide any room for maneuver. This legal backdrop restricts the city's ability to select its top officials based on a broader…

In contrast to the release of the names of all the applicants for police chief in Fort Myers recently[i], Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has refused to release the names of any of the nineteen applicants for police chief of the Louisville Police Department. [ii] Instead, various Louisville officials argue they cannot release the names of the applicants because of privacy concerns and past decisions by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office stating that candidates not chosen deserve protection. [iii] However, is this the best decision for the community of Louisville? In May, I wrote an extensive article that listed the pluses and minuses for police chief candidates' when their names are released as part of the hiring process. You can read the full article here. This article will not focus on those same concerns. Instead, the focus will be on the community’s perspective. Transparency Expectations One of the most critical expectations of government is that it is transparent and accountable. That it doesn’t operate in secret. Citizens expect their government to be transparent. All 50 states have passed open records laws that require specific records to be available to the public. [iv] Even in Louisville, Mayor Greenberg had recently restructured their…