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Rochester announces start of national search for new RPD Chief

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren says the city has formally begun the national search for a permanent Chief of Police.

Interim Chief Mark Simmons has headed the RPD since September following the retirement of former Chief Michael Ciminelli.

Ciminelli, who was chief since 2014 has accepted a job with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington D.C. and retired last September.

“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.

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.

Warren says she has  encouraged Simmons, along with other members of the RPD, to apply for the Chief’s job. Interim Chief Mark Simmons tells WXXI News he is discussing the possibility of applying for the permanent position with his family, but he has not yet made a decision on whether he will apply for it.

The application deadline is January 27.

 

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.