City staff and representatives from an executive search firm will host a public meeting Wednesday to gather residents’ input on what they’d like to see in Lynchburg’s next police chief.
The public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Heritage High School auditorium. For those who can’t share their ideas in person, a survey is available online until Nov. 25.
Former Chief Ryan Zuidema began his career at the Lynchburg Police Department in 1997 and was appointed as chief in 2018. He left his role in September to become police chief in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Deputy Chief Ken Edwards is serving as interim chief.
City staff hired Raftelis, a professional search firm, to lead a nationwide recruitment effort to find Zuidema’s replacement. The city has partnered with Raftelis and other similar firms for past executive searches, said city spokesperson Anna Bentson.
“The benefit is access to professional networks for marketing and recruitment, with the support and ability to cast the largest net for the best potential to attract the most highly qualified applicants,” she said of Raftelis in an emailed statement. The city is paying $39,000 for the firm’s aid, she said.
At the meeting, residents will be asked to share their perspectives on the qualities and priorities that should guide Raftelis’ search, Bentson said. Some questions that the firms’ representatives will ask include:
- What is going well with our police department?
- What needs additional attention or improvement?
- What traits or experiences should our next chief possess?
City Manager Wynter Benda will be responsible for making the final hiring decision, and no additional approval will be needed from the City Council, Bentson said.
Candidates will be reviewed starting in December, Bentson said, and the new chief is expected to be announced in February.
The search comes at a time when Lynchburg’s other top public safety role is in flux. Fire Chief Greg Wormser was placed on administrative leave Friday, Bentson said, while an external and independent review of the fire department is conducted. Deputy Chief Jonathan Wright is serving as acting chief.