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Most Mesa police chief applicants from nearby
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Mesa is getting a flurry of last-minute applications for its police chief position, but the city has found that its nationwide search is mostly of interest to cops closer to home.
The city has gotten few applicants from distant states, which Mayor Scott Smith said has come as a surprise.
Applicants are reluctant to make a big move because they fear they won't be able to sell their home or that their spouse won't be able to find a job in the midst of a severe economic downturn, Smith said. That leaves a higher number of in-state candidates than the city would normally see, he said.
"We did not anticipate the impact the economy has had on this type of search," Smith said.
The economy played a role in Johan Zietsman's decision to leave his position as arts and culture director for a post in Canada, the mayor said. Zietsman has been unable to sell a home from his previous job in New York, Smith said, which affected his decision to take a higher-paying job elsewhere.
But Smith says Mesa has plenty of quality candidates, despite the limitations. The city is letting people apply until a new chief is announced to ensure that the city keeps all its options open as long as possible, Smith said.
More than 50 people have applied, and City Manager Chris Brady sent out questionnaires to the recent applicants this week so he can further evaluate them. By early December, Brady is expected to name finalists and let a community panel weigh in on the applicants.
A chief could be chosen in a matter of weeks, though Smith said the city hasn't committed to any deadline to ensure it can wait as long as it needs to make the best selection.
"We're going to get the right person," Smith said.
The applicants include the city's three assistant chiefs.
Vicki Myers has been interim chief since July, when George Gascón left to become the top cop in San Francisco.
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