Options for selecting Perryville police chief being researched

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The citizen committee appointed by the Perryville Board of Aldermen to make recommendations about how the city selects its police chief is mulling three options before it presents its final decision to city officials.

The committee was formed two months after former police chief Keith Tarrillion's March 13 resignation, tendered amid allegations of misconduct.

City administrator Brent Buerck said the temporary committee was chosen carefully and "designed to represent the entire community."

"The committee consists of six men and six women, and is very diverse," he said. "It includes younger and older men and women, all with varying backgrounds."

The committee has met once, with a second meeting scheduled for Tuesday, and Buerck said the committee's focus for now is research and education. Members are studying the selection methods of other cities similar to Perryville.

"What we want to do here is keep an open mind," Buerck said. "So they're doing their research and learning as much as they can about each selection process, which is really what you want to see at this point."

The committee could suggest the city stick with its current process of electing its chief of police through public vote, but Buerck said there still would be changes made to candidate requirements.

"Right now, you just have to be 21, live in the city for a year and have 120 hours of police training to qualify," he said. "Those requirements are obviously no longer current."

Another option under consideration is administratively appointing the next police chief. In 2005, this option was placed on the ballot for Perryville residents to consider, but ultimately was not approved.

As with the previous option, Buerck said if the city chose to appoint its chief of police, an updated set of qualifications would be required.

The final option being reviewed by the committee would be a slight twist on the current election-based system. Buerck compared it to a "weak-mayor system" of city government.

"Under this system, we would keep electing the chief but would slightly modify his duties," he said. "The real power would lie with the administration."

While the committee is researching that option, Buerck admitted it was the one least likely to be suggested by the committee when it brings its final recommendation to the city July 16.

If the city decides to continue electing its chief of police, the election would take place in April with new qualifications in place. Should the city choose the administrative appointment route, Buerck said the city would have to approve an ordinance by August for the measure to appear before voters on the November ballot.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Perryville, Mo.