THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

The three finalists vying to become Selma&8217;s next police chief will be in town today.

Valeria Jones, City of Selma director of human resources, said Monday interviews will wrap up on Wednesday and the job offer could be made within the next few weeks.

The three candidates, whose identities have not been revealed, are scheduled to meet with the advisory committee Tuesday morning, and again informally during a private reception with the 27-member committee and their guests.

Mayor James Perkins Jr., who has the authority to hire the police chief, told the Selma City Council during its regular meeting Monday, he will interview each of the candidates and wrap up the interviews by Wednesday,

The council has authorized a salary negotiable up to $80,000, Jones said. The new chief will replace acting Chief Jimmy Martin, who resigned in June 2007, to spend more time working in his pastoral ministry. Martin agreed to stay on as chief until a replacement is hired, and will return to his rank of sergeant within the department once the new chief is hired.

The city council approved a transfer of $10,000 for travel expenses from the police budget to human resources so the candidates and their spouses could be brought in for interviews. Glenda Deese, a retired lieutenant colonel with the Alabama State Troopers, has been hired to work as liaison between Martin and the new chief.

Perkins said Deese would stay on until mid-March or longer &8220;to ensure a smooth transition.&8221;

Slavin Management of Norcross, Ga., has conducted a search to locate candidates.