Citizen Staff Writer
Tucson Police Department
DAVID L. TEIBEL
dteibel@tucsoncitizen.com
Two local police commanders are on the city’s shortlist to head the Tucson Police Department.
Assistant Chief John Leavitt, in charge of the Administrative Services Bureau, and Capt. Brett Klein, head of the west side patrol division, are among six finalists for the job.
Their candidacies for police chief were announced Tuesday in a news statement from City Hall.
The other finalists are:
• Blake McClelland, assistant chief of police for patrol operations, north division, Phoenix Police Department
• Joseph Curreri, captain III, area commanding officer, Los Angeles Police Department
• James Craig, captain III, area commanding officer, Los Angeles Police Department
• Mark Paresi, retired chief of police for the North Las Vegas Police Department
One of the six could be selected for the post within a few weeks to a month, said Cindy Bezaury, director of the city’s Department of Human Resources.
The next step for the six men is a three-day interview, screening and selection process slated Feb. 23-25, Bezaury said.
On the first day, the candidates will go through an oral board designed to determine their leadership abilities and technical skills.
The second day will be spent with community stakeholder forums and meeting with city employee groups.
The third day will be spent in “meet-and-greet” sessions with the mayor, City Council and members of various city boards and committees.
The day also will include a final interview with City Manager Mike Hein and Assistant City Manager Richard Miranda, who was Tucson police chief until his retirement from that post last summer.
Hein will make his final choice and present that candidate to the City Council for confirmation.
Search for Tucson police chief narrowed to 6