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Chief of Police Selection Process

The search for a new chief of police intensifies as the candidates are whittled down to just four.

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Reporter: Gary Smollen

The search for a new chief of police intensifies as the candidates are whittled down to just four.

Two internal and two outsiders are vying for the job as Omaha's top cop. One of the top qualifications for the position is longevity.

Longevity may be the key to who is hired as the next Chief of Police in Omaha.

Over the past four and a half years the position has been a kind of revolving door; there have been three chiefs in that time.

Now officials believe longevity and stability are needed at the top so the revolving door stops and one of the four men will lead the force for years to come.

The mayor and the union agree on one point; the next chief of police should be in for the long haul.

Stability in the department is one of the city's top priorities because of the high number of retirements over the past few years.

Richard O'Gara says, "A police chief that is going to be working with the mayor for a long time. We want somebody who is going to be here for longer than just a few years."

Of the four candidates Deputy Chief Todd Schmaderer and Captain Greg Gonzalez are the only internal candidates to advance to the interview stage.

Retired Stockton Police Chief Blair Ulring and Sheboygan Chief Christopher Domagalski are the other two candidates.

On Monday they begin an intense interview process involving Mayor Jim Suttle as well as a six member community panel.

Richard O'Gara says, "We will have interviews with both the mayor and a community panel because the mayor felt it was important that we have representatives of the community interview the candidate."

O'Gara also says there will be an intensive background check on all four candidates and follow up questions should anything be uncovered that needs an explanation.