The city has launched a community engagement process for the selection of a new police chief, following Shane Guyant’s announcement that he will retire December 1.

“We want to know what the community wants from its next police chief,” City Manager Kelly Traynham said during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

An online survey to give feedback on the selection process is live, she said. “It’s just a few questions and you can respond to that. We ask for citizens to complete that before September 25. We do invite the citizens to respond and to provide information on what they would like to see in our next police chief and the things that are important to our community in the policing and leadership of that department.”

The survey can be found at this link

The police chief, who reports to the city manager, manages daily police department operations, supervises department employees, and maintains a community presence. “The police chief will play a key leadership role in supporting the city’s priorities furthering public safety and supporting a high quality of life for the community,” the city said in a statement.

The information requested in the survey will be used to identify competencies needed in the next chief as well as critical issues facing the city and the police department. 

All responses are anonymous. Results will be summarized by the consulting group Developmental Associates which will be running the search and hiring process for the city.

The RRPD has 38 full-time budgeted sworn positions, plus four non-sworn positions. 

The RRPD is divided into these divisions: Administration, investigative, and uniform patrol and animal services. 

The RRPD typically responds to more than 25,000 calls for service annually.