The City of Somerville is seeking four community members to serve on a selection committee for the next Chief of Police of the Somerville Police Department (SPD). The next Chief will lead the department through an important moment in policing in Somerville, as the work of the reimagining policing process – led by the Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) Office under the leadership of RSJ Director Denise Molina Capers – will be in full swing. 

The Police Chief Selection Committee (PCSC) will be responsible for: 

• Engaging the community in a robust discussion about the type of leader they are looking for in the next Chief of Police. 

• Working with the Mayor’s Office to select a recruiting firm to lead the search. 

• Working with the recruiting firm to establish a selection process based on input received from the community. 

• Recommending three to five finalists to the Mayor based on candidates’ performance in the selection process. 

• Conducting a public interview process for the finalists. 

The Mayor will make the final appointment for the next Chief of Police from the PCSC’s list of finalists, subject to confirmation by the City Council.  

The police chief selection committee is established in City ordinance and can be found at https://bit.ly/PoliceChiefSelection.  The selection committee will consist of: 

• The Human Resources Director (who will serve as the chair) 

• A member of the City Council appointed by the City Council Vice President 

• The RSJ Director (this position was formerly held by the director of the Multicultural Affairs Commission) 

• Two community members appointed by the City Council Vice President, at least one of whom should represent the city’s diversity 

• Two community members appointed by the Mayor, at least one of whom should represent the city’s diversity 

• A sworn officer of the SPD represented and elected by the Somerville Police Employees Association, the union that represents patrol officers 

• A sworn officer of the SPD represented and elected by the Somerville Police Superior Officers Association, the union that represents sergeants, lieutenants, and captains 

The Mayor and the City Council Vice President will select community members from the applicants who respond to this call. 

Time Commitment and Preferred Qualifications 

The PCSC will likely meet every other week at a regularly scheduled time that is most convenient for all committee members. Materials will be distributed for review prior to each meeting. Committee members should also expect to attend community meetings or other community engagement events.  

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in municipal governance, public health and safety, racial and social justice, and/or policing and the many roles it plays in the lives of community members.  

How to Apply 

Applicants interested in volunteering to serve on the PCSC should send their resume and a statement of interest to policechiefsearch@somervillema.gov by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20. 

The City of Somerville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.