Online forum scheduled for public to meet Bellingham police chief semifinalists
Bellingham residents will have a chance to meet the candidates for police chief in an online forum next month, city officials said Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Mayor Seth Fleetwood said in a statement that 13 applications were received and that the semifinalists will answer questions selected from those provided by community members during the public feedback process at the city’s Engage Bellingham site during an online public forum scheduled for 5:30 p.m. March 17.
“Like so many communities across the nation, we see the years ahead as transformational for law enforcement and public safety. Public feedback will help shape this work and is providing us with valuable insight as we consider candidates for the police chief position,” Fleetwood said in a statement.
Bellingham spokeswoman Janice Keller said the number of finalists hasn’t been decided.
Interim Police Chief Flo Simon, who replaced Chief David Doll when he retired in January 2021, has said she will remain in the position through May, when she intended to retire.
An initial interview process to replace Doll ended in June 2021, when all four finalists were rejected after a nationwide search amid a citywide commitment to “reimagine” policing in the wake of the 2020 racial justice movement and a staffing crunch that has gutted its special units.
Salary range was listed as $162,720 to $196,884 per year plus benefits.
Bellingham advertised the position the first week of January, and the application period closed Feb. 6.
