By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Saratoga Springs Police Chief Gary Hicken is among the finalists to replace Provo Police Chief Craig Geslison.
Provo Mayor John R. Curtis announced the finalists late Monday afternoon. Along with Hicken, the city is considering Rick Gregory, state director for U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.; and Idaho Falls Police Chief Steve Roos.
“My assumption all along has been that with the number of screenings they go through, these three are all qualified,” Curtis said Monday. “Now, we have to find the candidate who best fits the needs of Provo.”
Before serving in Saratoga Springs, Hicken was police chief of Buena Park, Calif. He has 34 years of law enforcement experience.
Gregory, a former lieutenant colonel in the Florida Highway Patrol, has also been the chief administrative officer for New Castle County, Del. He was also the acting director of public safety and police chief for New Castle County and has 30 years of experience in public safety.
Roos has been police chief in Idaho Falls since 2007. He attended Brigham Young University and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
The three were named after a process that began with 60 candidates vying to replace Geslison. The initial list was winnowed to 38 who met the basic requirements for professional experience and education.
Citygate Associates, the firm that conducted a performance audit of Provo’s police department, ranked the candidates. The firm also did a public records review of the highest ranking candidates and interviewed the top 17. Citygate pared that group down to seven, who were reviewed by a committee appointed by Curtis.
The committee, consisting of Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training director Scott Stephenson, Utah County Sheriff Jim Tracy, Brigham Young University Police Chief Larry Stott, Provo School Board member Michelle Kaufusi, Municipal Council Vice Chairman Midge Johnson and Arturo Soza, a Provo business owner, recommended the final three.
Tracy said Curtis can’t go wrong with whomever he chooses.
“I feel good about the full seven in the group and the final three,” Tracy said.
But Curtis said he’s not planning to rush his decision. So far, he’s called their personal references and talked with them.
Geslison retired as Provo’s police chief in January. He announced his retirement in December, after the city began a performance review of the department triggered by incidents where officers were charged with criminal activity.
Copyright 2011 The Salt Lake Tribune