BROOKINGS – The City of Brookings just opened its search for a new police chief to anyone who wants to apply.

Former Chief Jeff Miller resigned from his position Aug. 11, and Assistant Chief Dave Erickson has been filling in as acting chief since then.

Positions with the city are always opened internally first, said City Manager Jeff Weldon, and the city doesn’t always open jobs to the outside, but with such a prominent position, he wanted to make sure Brookings attracts the best.

“We made a decision early in the process that we need to cast as wide a net on it as possible in order to hire the best and brightest police chief that I can absolutely find,” Weldon said.

“That doesn’t mean any of our internal candidates are being rejected,” Weldon stressed. “They’ll be considered as well, but we’re going to consider as many as we possibly can.”

To that end, they have put the word out with law enforcement trade associations in the Upper Midwest, listing services for other law enforcement agencies, and other people in the business. They are also utilizing traditional methods of newspaper and magazine advertising, as well as social media.

“Word is easily getting out because even for the week it was internal … we had received a couple of applications from elsewhere in the country,” Weldon said.

It doesn’t surprise him that people would want to come here.

“We’ve had a lot of good awards that we can claim and I think we are going to be a very desirable city and a department to be a chief in,” Weldon said.

Not everyone can fill the job.

“It’s a very significant position: police chief in a community this size is a very demanding position and it’s tough,” he said. “We’ve got to have someone with the professionalism and the experience and they’ve got to be the right fit for the department and the community.”

Weldon said the city updated some requirements, like knowing current technology, “but nothing of significant content.”

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field is required, with a master’s degree preferred.

“And they have to absolutely be certified in law enforcement,” Weldon said.

He’s looking for supplemental training, such as special training at the FBI Academy, or in investigations or special weapons and tactics, just as examples.

“We’ll be looking for people who have a cadre of those types of specialized experiences at that level,” Weldon said.

The chief will be managing 48 full-time employees and a total budget of $4.5 million. The salary range is listed at $84,223-$113,702, depending on qualifications.

Other requirements are listed in the notice posted on the city’s website at cityofbrookings.org, under Announcements and News, and click on Profile.

The first review of applications is set for Nov. 1. Weldon hasn’t set a definitive process but expects candidates to go through an interview process with departmental staff and department heads. He’s also considering getting input from the city council members, and having a meet-and-greet reception with the candidates and community.

“I’ll make the final decision as my job requires, but I’ll get a lot of input from other people, too,” Weldon said.

He’s hoping to have a new chief in place after the first of the year.

“Holidays coming up makes it a bit of a challenge,” he said.

If it’s offered to someone from the outside, they will have to give notice and make arrangements to move, he noted.

“If it’s an internal candidate that we hire, then that process will go a lot faster,” Weldon said.

Ultimately, it takes as long as it takes.

“I’ve got to make sure we do the very best we can to get the right person here and the right fit,” Weldon said.

Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.