CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The three final candidates for Cleveland's next police chief were interviewed by a four-member selection panel this morning.
Those finalist are Jessie Brooks, a captain with the Tennessee Highway Patrol; Red Bank Police Chief Timothy Christol; and interim Chief Mark Gibson of the Cleveland Police Department. The candidates were culled from a group of 36 applicants.
When the panel asked what they would do to restore the community's respect for the Cleveland Police Department, all three candidates stated that connecting with the public "face-to-face" would be critical.
"Actions speak louder than words," said Gibson, who stressed that "communication with the public is key."
It will require outreach, Brooks said.
"Every officer is a community liaison," Christol said.
The Cleveland Police Department lost two chiefs - Wes Snyder and Dennis Maddux - in the aftermath of highly publicized sex scandals that occurred less than 18 months apart. A number of officers have been placed under investigation or have resigned due to allegations of inappropriate behavior since August.
The interview panel - which consists of City Manager Janice Casteel, law enforcement consultant Larry Wallace, Lee University President Dr. Paul Conn and Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce board President Robert Bradney - will make a recommendation to Casteel concerning the next police chief. However, no time frame has been announced as to when that will happen.
Wallace has stated that the next police chief is expected to be in place by Oct. 1.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.