PORT ANGELES — The city had received 20 applications for the position of deputy police chief by Wednesday.
The city seeks to fill the position vacated by Terry Gallagher when he was promoted to police chief in September.
The deputy police chief is the second ranking position in the Port Angeles Police Department, with direct responsibility for patrol, investigations, crime prevention, records division, police volunteers and reserve officers and all support services, said City Human Resources Director Bob Coons.
It will pay between $77,688 and $92,844, with full benefits, including enrollment in the state retirement system for law enforcement officers and firefighters.
The position requires eight years experience — including five years or more at the rank of sergeant or higher — and a bachelor’s degree in police science, police administration, public administration or similar field.
It also requires proficiency with law enforcement computer applications, including 9-1-1 communications systems and the mobile data centers on the front consoles of police cars.
Applicants will face three interview panels consisting of senior management, community representatives, and department staff, whose members haven’t been selected yet.
They also will undergo background checks, which will include polygraph tests and psychological evaluations.
Sterling Epps, a retired law enforcement veteran of 33 years, was appointed to the interim deputy police chief position on March 1.
The 53-year-old Gallagher, a 23-year veteran of the Police Department, replaced Tom Riepe, who retired as police chief in May 2007 after 30 years on the force.
He was chosen from six finalists.
The department’s 2008 budget is $4.55 million.
It includes 33 commissioned officers, plus a records supervisor, records specialist and four support services officers, as well as 21 employees in the PenComm 9-1-1 Communications Center.
