THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

The much-anticipated study of the Selma Police Department may be done and in city officials’ hands over the next couple weeks.

Dr. Ralph Ioimo of Public Safety Consultants, Inc., who was hired by the City of Selma to conduct an in-depth study, said Tuesday the report may be as large as 200 pages. Copies will be provided to Mayor James Perkins Jr. and Council President George Evans.

Ioimo said his company has done &8220;a lot of interviews with former officers.&8221; They have also surveyed the community, as well as taken a look at the city’s crime statistics. Without giving away the results, which Ioimo said he would do before the City Council, he offered a &8220;sneak preview&8221; of the findings.

Ioimo said moving toward &8220;community policing&8221; would help.

Valeria Jones, City of Selma director of human resources, has an ongoing recruitment plan seeking police officers and firefighters. She is also overseeing the nationwide search for a replacement of police Chief Jimmy Martin, who resigned in June 2007, agreed to remain in the position until a replacement is named.