01/29/21 - Fairbanks Police Chief Hiring Process Update

Press Release
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Fairbanks Police Chief Hiring Process Update
 
DATE: January 29, 2021
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Teal Soden, Communications Director, 907-459-6793, tsoden@fairbanks.us

On January 18th, 2021, the application period for the position of Fairbanks Police Chief closed externally following a ten-day recruitment period.  There were a total of 18 applicants, including two internal applicants from the Fairbanks Police Department. While all applicants had impressive qualifications, ten of the 18 candidates were chosen to move forward to be interviewed.  The interviews were conducted by the panel previously chosen by the Mayor from different areas of the community. 

This week, the panel completed the first round of interviews in the hiring process. From the ten applicants, five finalists have been invited to continue in the process and participate in a public forum. The final candidates are:
 

•  Koula Black – Major with the Mocksville, North Carolina Police Department
•  Derek Bos – Chief of Police with the Brush, Colorado Police Department
•  Ron Dupee – Acting Deputy Chief with the Fairbanks Police Department
• Tod Richardson – Deputy with the Beaver County Sheriff’s Department, Utah
• Richard Sweet – Acting Chief with the Fairbanks Police Department

 
More information on the final candidates will be posted on the City of Fairbanks website (www.fairbanksalaska.us) and on City of Fairbanks social media next week. 
 
The public forum will be hosted by the Diversity Council at their February meeting on February 9th at 5:30pm. Information on how to attend virtually will be posted on the City of Fairbanks website and City of Fairbanks Facebook page on Monday, February 8th. 
 
Thank you to all those that participated as interview panelists: Fairbanks Diversity Council Representative Andrew Aquino, NAACP Representative Bennie Colbert, Behavioral Health Services Representative Robert Dorton, Interior Alaska Center for Non-violent Living Executive Director Brenda Stanfill, Fairbanks District Attorney Joe Dallaire, Fairbanks Business owner Jeff Hurben, Alaska State Troopers Captain Ron Wall, Fairbanks Native Association Executive Director Steve Ginnis, and Fairbanks Fire Chief Tod Chambers. Thank you also to Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer and Law Enforcement Practices Consultant Greg Russell for providing content area expertise to the City administration, as well as to the interview panel.