Searching for a leader
By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Mayor Dewey Bartlett has recruited some outside advisers to help him select Tulsa's next police chief.
Crime Commission Executive Director Carol Bush and the Rev. Weldon Tisdale of Friendship Church will serve on the mayor's search committee as it interviews candidates for the job, Bartlett told the Tulsa World.
In addition to the mayor, the internal members of the committee are Director of Administration Jim Twombly and Personnel Director Erica Felix-Warwick.
Bush and Tisdale will each bring "unique perspectives" to the search process, Bartlett said.
The Crime Commission has been around for a long time and has seen several management changes in the Police Department, he said.
"It interacts with the police force and the community on a daily basis, so I felt like Carol would be in a very good position to understand the needs of the job," Bartlett said.
Bush said the recent federal indictments involving police officers and the turmoil within the department due to layoffs and budget cuts will necessitate that the chief is "both a good people person and a strong manager."
"It's a weird job," she said. "The chief has to head up a military-like troop of men and women and also has to navigate the city's politics. Sometimes that's like two different skill sets."
Not only does the person have to gain the trust of the officers, he or she must have the trust of city leaders and the community, Bush said.
Tisdale, a north Tulsa leader, is "from a family that has a tremendous amount of respect throughout the community," the mayor said.
"I value his judgment," Bartlett said. "He's a very thoughtful person and he really understands the need to create bridges between groups of people that may otherwise be divided."
Tisdale said he was honored to be asked to serve by the mayor and sees it as "a critical responsibility."
"I won't take it lightly," he said, adding that he intends to seek input from different segments of the community on the qualities that they want to see in the next police chief.
Interviews with the two internal police chief candidates, Deputy Chiefs Mark McCrory and Daryl Webster, will be scheduled within the next two to three weeks, the mayor said.
Interim Police Chief Chuck Jordan has filled the role since former Police Chief Ron Palmer's resignation Jan. 22.
Jordan, who earns $100,000 annually, has confirmed he will be an external candidate for the job, if the search makes it to that stage.
Although Jordan, 62, served for 32 years in the Tulsa Police Department, he was tapped for the interim chief role while he was serving as a captain in the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.
Following the City Charter, Bartlett must first consider candidates from within the Tulsa Police Department before he can accept external applications.
Each candidate will be questioned by the search committee and then likely have a one-on-one meeting with Bartlett, he said.
McCrory, 50, has served on Tulsa's force for 28 years and achieved the rank of deputy chief five years ago. He oversees the department's investigative bureau, which includes the detectives division and special investigations.
Webster, 49, has been in Tulsa's police ranks for 23 years and became a deputy chief two years ago. He is in charge of the department's administrative bureau, which includes training, recruitment, community outreach, records, the property room and forensic lab, budget preparation, planning and research, policy formation and other functions.
Bartlett is also changing the police chief post from one of the mayor's at-will employees to one that is again under the civil service system. This means that the chief can be removed only for just cause and with due process.
Former Mayor Kathy Taylor made the chief job one of her at-will posts in 2007 following the retirement of former Chief Dave Been.
Bartlett has said he believes the chief has to be able to make tough decisions without being subjected to the political whims of the city.
Brian Barber 581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com
Copyright Tulsa World 2010
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