Red Bank starts search for new police chief

TIMELINEJuly 2: City Manager Chris Dorsey fires Police Chief Larry SneedJuly 13: Sneed files $1.5 million suit against the cityAug. 4: Officer Bradley Hanon sues the city for $1.5 millionAug. 16: John Anthony Murray sues city for $1.5 millionAug. 23: Red Bank police Cpl. Rebecca Chauncey sues city for $1.5 million.

Red Bank's last police chief inspired three $1.5 million lawsuits against the city, so officials say they're looking for a new direction as they replace him.

"I'm not going to talk about previous mistakes or anything like that," Red Bank City Manager Chris Dorsey said. "But we are being diligent and smart about finding a new chief."

Red Bank officials have advertised for "an experienced and visionary leader" with a bachelor's degree in a field related to law enforcement, along with a demonstrated understanding of how smaller cities work.

The salary is listed as negotiable. The current salary is $60,597, documents show.

Dorsey would not elaborate on what qualities the city needs in a new police chief, but he has stepped up efforts with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service to find someone "qualified." The public agency is helping the city at no cost to taxpayers, Dorsey said.

He said the advisory service "will interview me and several members of the police department."

"We still have to determine who fits our city," he said.

In July, Dorsey fired former Chief Larry Sneed, who filed a $1.5 million lawsuit alleging retaliation. A police officer and a DUI suspect also have filed separate $1.5 million lawsuits, and several former and current police officers have spoken about disorder caused by Sneed's alleged "intimidation tactics." The former chief's defenders say his management style was "old school."

Interim Chief Dan Knight said he's undecided about applying for the position.

Knight was staff sergeant over detectives and training before he became interim chief.

"I've got 14 years before I can retire," he said. "And the average life expectancy of being chief is five or six years. I've got to think about that."

Six applicants already have sent resumes, Dorsey said, including one officer from Colorado and one from Utah.

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