A successor for retired Chattanooga police Chief Freeman Cooper needs to be named within 87 days.
Mayor Ron Littlefield said he hopes that person is Sheriff Jim Hammond.
"It's a bit ambitious," Mr. Littlefield said Friday. "I think it's possible, but it's going to take a change of heart from a lot of folks."
Nine of those folks are Hamilton County commissioners, who drubbed the mayor's plan for consolidating the city and county law enforcement agencies last week. Commissioner Larry Henry said Friday such a plan probably would take two or three years to develop and implement.
"It's inconceivable to think any of this will be done in 90 days," he said.
Sheriff Hammond said that as the constitutionally appointed law enforcement officer for the county, he would talk with the city leaders about the mayor's idea. However, it would be a long shot for him to become the city's top policeman in three months. There are "too many players," he said.
"I have my doubts," he said. "There's too many issues out there that need clarification."
The City Council decided 6-2 Tuesday not to approve a contract with Mr. Cooper, who retired Wednesday. The week before, Mr. Littlefield had vowed to pursue an agreement with the sheriff to run the police department if the council balked at Mr. Cooper's contract. He said the move would be a first step at consolidating the departments.
Mr. Littlefield said consolidation still is his plan and he wants to pursue an interlocal agreement with the county within the next 90 days. In the meantime, he named Deputy Chief Mark Rawlston as the interim chief.
According to city code, the mayor has 90 days before he has to name a permanent successor.
Mr. Littlefield said much work needs to be done over the next three months. He said he realizes that some county commissioners have "dug in their heels" against allowing the sheriff to serve as the city's police chief.
In voicing their opposition to plans for a rapid consolidation, commissioners highlighted the significant differences between the departments, notably their respective pension plans.
Mr. Henry also questioned the City Charter and how it will interplay with merged departments.
"I don't know how home rule is going to play on this," he said. "It may have to go in front of the voters."
City Council Chairman Jack Benson said Friday an agreement to consolidate law enforcement services could be "mutually beneficial." But he wants to see more details.
"I wouldn't want to make a decision until I see the agreement," he said.
Mr. Littlefield noted that at the end of any negotiations, city and county leaders could agree on some things that push them much further toward consolidation. One example would be a joint city-county firing range.
"At the end of 90 days, we'll be much farther along," he said.
WHAT'S HAPPENED
The City Council voted 6-2 Tuesday to not give a contract to former police Chief Freeman Cooper. Mayor Ron Littlefield announced Deputy Chief Mark Rawlston would be interim chief until a permanent successor is found. According to City Code, interim appointees can only serve 90 days.