SIMI VALLEY : 4 Finalists Emerge for Police Chief Job

The list of eight men vying to become Simi Valley’s new police chief was winnowed to four finalists after intensive interviews Thursday by a panel of law enforcement officials and community representatives.

All four finalists will be interviewed next week by City Manager Mike Sedell, Mayor Greg Stratton and Councilman Bill Davis, Sedell said. Then, city staff and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will run thorough background checks on some or all of the finalists and check their references, Sedell said.

Sedell will decide by July 21 who will replace former Chief Willard Schlieter.

Schlieter, hired in 1994 after a nationwide search by the city, resigned in March amid accusations from the department’s ranks that he was a weak commander. Then-City Manager Lin Koester appointed Capt. Richard Wright as acting chief. Wright has said he would not apply.

When Schlieter left, the City Council hired a private executive-search company to find his replacement.

Hughes, Perry & Associates of Sea Ranch, Calif., sent lengthy questionnaires to the more qualified candidates and interviewed them this month.

The firm then chose eight semifinalists from more than 50 applicants. All are men--including five police chiefs and three command-level officers. All but one are from California, Sedell said.

The job has an annual salary between $79,039 and $100,867.