Livingston top cop search not 'American Idol,' city manager warns

Livingston Mayor Gurpal Samra suggested last night that the police chief search should involve the public when possible, an idea that was met with some resistance by City Manager Richard Warne, who warned it could deteriorate into a "political circus."

"This is a very serious process," said Warne, who has the last word on who to hire. "This isn't 'American Idol.'"

The City Council approved the $18,000 contract with Bob Murray & Associates, and Warne will sit down with the firm next week to discuss details of the search process. He didn't want to commit to any town hall meetings for the chief search until after that. The mayor had suggested June 3 as a possible date to sketch a profile for a new chief, but that would be too soon, Warne said.

A couple of people spoke during the meeting to ask that residents get a say in the search because it's for one of the most important jobs in the city.

"That's not politics or personnel obstruction," resident Katherine Schell said. "That's democracy in action."

Samra assured the audience the search would be as transparent as possible.

In a similar situation, the Merced Union High School District came under fire when it began searching for a new superintendent. It changed its course and held a public forum at each high school so parents, staff and teachers could give guidance for what the district needed.

That search, word has it, is done and a new school superintendent should be announced soon.