News Release - City Sets Application Deadline for National Search for Rochester Police Chief

City of Rochester

News Release

(Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren announced today that the national search for a permanent Chief of the Rochester Police Department (RPD) is formally underway with an application deadline of Jan. 27. Internal and external candidates are welcome to apply.

“The Chief of the Rochester Police Department is arguably the most important appointment I can make, so it is imperative that we conduct the most exhaustive and thorough search process possible,” said Mayor Warren.

Interim Chief Mark Simmons has headed the RPD since September following the retirement of former Chief Michael Ciminelli. Mayor Warren reiterated her gratitude for Interim Chief Simmons’ leadership of the Department and has encouraged him, along with other members of the RPD, to apply for the Chief’s job.

“Mark Simmons' steady hand at the helm of the RPD is a true gift that is giving me the time I need to give my full consideration to this very important decision,” said Mayor Warren. “I remain eternally grateful for his willingness to serve above and beyond the call of duty.”

The City has contracted with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to lead the national search. Once the applications are submitted, the IACP will conduct the initial review and then forward those that are deemed most suitable for the job by Feb. 4. At that point, a committee headed by Deputy Mayor James Smith will conduct the next level of review and submit a recommendation to the Mayor for her appointment. The Chief will ultimately be confirmed by City Council.

The Search Committee will also include Michael Cerretto, Director of Emergency Communications and a retired lieutenant colonel in the State Police; Caesar Carbonell, Director of City Security; Chris Wagner, Budget Director; and Tassie Demps, Director of Human Resource Management.

Advertisements for the job have been posted on several websites relevant to law enforcement executives, including the City of Rochester website (CityofRochester.gov) IACP’s website (DiscoverPolicing.org); the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NobleNational.org); the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (Hapcoa.org); the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (Nawlee.org); and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (Calea.org).

To review the job posting, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/jobs/.

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News Media: For more information, contact Patrick Flanigan at 428-7135.