THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

The long-awaited study of the Selma Police Department is here.

Members of the Selma City Council have been given copies, but none of them are talking about the contents of its 116 pages.

In a special called meeting scheduled for 4 p.m., Monday , at City Hall, council members will talk about the study’s contents, and see the accompanying management letter during executive session. It won’t be made public, city officials said.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. met Friday with members of an advisory committee he has formed to provide public input in the selection of the next police chief.

Council President George Evans, along with Ward 4 Councilwoman Geraldine Allen, Ward 6 Councilman Johnnie Leashore and Ward 8 Councilwoman Jannie Venter were appointed by the mayor.

Still, council members were critical.

Council members are expected to discuss a management letter provided by Dr. Ralph Ioimo of Public Safety Consultants Inc., whose Wetumpka firm was contracted $48,000 to study the police department.

The study began in August 2007 and was to include interviews with police officers and people in the community.

The study also is expected to contain recommendations for improvement to public safety in Selma.

Martin resigned June 18 but agreed to stay on until a replacement is named. The search firm of Slavin Management Consultants has delivered a pool of 16 candidates, city officials said.

The advisory committee is expected to narrow down the list of candidates. The mayor has the appointment powers to hire the city’s police chief.

Leashore said Friday’s was a good meeting. He said the advisory committee shows the mayor is open to accept input on the hiring of the city’s top cop.