Six months after launching its search for a new police chief, Golden Valley is still without a permanent leader for its police department. Assistant chiefs are running the show while the city weighs its next move, even after hosting a public forum with two finalists earlier this month and then passing on both. With the agreement with its executive search firm set to expire at the end of March, the stalled process is raising concerns that taxpayers could be on the hook for higher costs if the search has to be extended.
Finalists Named, Then Passed Over
The City of Golden Valley announced that its two finalists were Christopher Chrisostomidis, a police captain with the City of Savage Police Department, and Victor McDowell Jr., a deputy chief with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department. As outlined by the City of Golden Valley, the pair took questions from residents at a public forum in City Hall, moderated by GMP Consultants and livestreamed for anyone who could not attend in person. After the event, the city said it would continue the recruitment process rather than choose either finalist.
Consultant Contract Nears Deadline
Local reporting shows Golden Valley hired GMP Consultants back in November to run the recruitment, agreeing to pay at least $18,500 for the search. That contract is set to wrap up at the end of March. As reported by KSTP, city leaders declined interview requests about why the finalists were not selected and what exactly comes next. A city spokesperson told KSTP that “we are continuing to discuss next steps with the consultant and will have more information in the next week.”
Former Chief's Resignation Still Looms
The drawn-out recruitment follows the October resignation of Chief Virgil Green after two third-party investigations into his conduct, including questions about how he handled internal affairs and the release of body-camera footage. MPR News reported on those investigations and on the administrative leave that preceded Green's exit. Since then, assistant chiefs Alice White and Rudy Perez have been overseeing the department. The history of those investigations, and the public attention they drew, appears to have complicated the hiring decision.
What Comes Next
Residents told reporters they are frustrated by how long the search has dragged on and are worried about potential added costs if the city extends its contract with GMP Consultants or restarts the search from scratch. As reported by CCX Media, city officials had hoped to make a final decision soon after the March 11 forum, but now say they will provide updates as leaders consider their options. Watch for a city announcement on whether GMP will stay on past March and whether the council will approve additional spending to finish the recruitment.
