Maricopa’s search for a replacement for Police Chief James Hughes is underway.
The city has contracted with Ralph Anderson and Associates, an executive job-search and human-resources consulting firm, to conduct a national search for candidates, according to Maricopa Government Relations & Communications Director Quinn Konold.
Hughes resigned in August after just 21 months on the job, telling InMaricopa the position was not a good fit. Hughes joined MPD in 2012 as a commander overseeing operations and then replaced Steve Stahl as chief in January 2021.
Konold said the city will begin reviewing candidates after the job posting closes Nov. 14.
According to the posting on the Ralph Anderson and Associates website, the position pays $182,401, depending on qualifications. Compensation includes membership in the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. Moving expenses may be offered to the selected candidate.
The new chief will report to Micah Gaudet, who was hired to the newly created position of Deputy City Manager/Chief Public Safety Officer.
The job description states the city is seeking “a community-service minded, innovative, and dynamic law-enforcement professional to lead the Maricopa Police Department. The Police Chief position is an active contributor to the Senior Leadership Team.”
It states the department’s 2023 budget is $12.1 million, which includes a staff of 92, including 80 sworn officers. The listing further describes the department as having a strong cadre of lieutenants, led by a captain, overseeing four functional areas: community policing, two patrol squads and criminal investigations.
The listing describes the characteristics and experience the city is seeking.
“The ideal candidate will be focused and well-versed in community-oriented policing and problem solving to address crime and quality-of-life challenges,” the listing states. “This position requires progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, including considerable supervisory and administrative experience, including 15 years of progressive experience producing results in increasingly complex situations, building consensus, challenging the status quo to achieve innovative results and 10 years of supervisory experience. Master’s degree will be an added plus.”
