Ralph Andersen and Associates Seeks Chief of Police for Boise, ID

January 15, 2020 – The public sector is in the midst of major transformation. It faces an array of challenges that range from shifting public expectations to budgetary pressures and a growing demand for operational efficiency. To successfully navigate these issues, government organizations need leaders who are focused, tenacious and adaptable, with the capacity to deal with significant scale, complexity and ambiguity, say recruiters who specialize in the field.

Executive recruiters Ralph Andersen and Associates were recently selected to lead a national search for a new chief of police for the city of Boise, ID. William Bones retired at the end of October after a 27-year career with the Boise Police Department.

The next chief will have the opportunity to continuously improve an already high performing agency, said Ralph Andersen and Associates. With a population of 232,000, Boise is the capital of Idaho and the largest metropolitan center between Portland, OR and Salt Lake City. Its police department is made up of about 300 sworn officers and a professional support staff of about 100. The department has a fiscal year 2020 budget of $70 million.

The ideal candidate is expected to be accessible and engaged in the department, the community and the broader city, said the search firm. Strong communications skills are required, as is a spirit of collaboration and cooperation. The next police chief must fully embrace the guardian mindset of policing, be committed to de-escalation and lead a department that has earned community trust through openness and accountability.

Minimum qualifications required for the role are a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field; and seven years of progressively responsible experience in local law enforcement and crime prevention, with a minimum of three years in a command position with management and supervisory responsibility, said Ralph Andersen and Associates. A master’s degree and/or advanced training, such as with the FBI National Academy, are preferred. An equivalent combination of related training, education and experience may be considered. The starting annual salary range is $160,000 to $180,000, plus a top-notch benefit package and relocation assistance.

Founded in 1972, Ralph Andersen and Associates provides executive search and consulting services to an array of cities, counties, special districts, state agencies and other organizations. Heather Renschler serves as president and CEO of the firm. Her career with the firm’s executive search and consulting practice spans over three decades. She has overseen the national recruitment practice for the last 20 years.

In her role, Ms. Renschler serves as project director and lead consultant on high-profile national recruitments, including many of a sensitive and critical nature. She works directly with city managers, city councils, board of directors, and other governing boards during the recruitment and selection process; dealing directly with the client on all aspects of the search process. Ms. Renschler’s widespread network of contacts and potential candidates extends throughout the nation, expanding internationally in the transportation and aviation sectors.

Turning to Search Firms

A number of cities across the U.S. have turned to search firms to find new leaders. Here is a sampling from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

Following a nationwide search, Torrance, CA-based executive search firm Teri Black & Company assisted the city of Grand Rapids, MI, in the placement of Eric Payne as the city’s first African-American chief of police. Grand Rapids city manager Mark Washington selected Mr. Payne from three finalists for the job. The city searched “high and low” across the nation for its next chief, he said. The search involved a vetting process that engaged residents, business and civic leaders, law enforcement and other community stakeholders.

Teri Black & Company has placed Andy Hall as the new police chief for the city of Fresno, CA. Teri Black and her firm have been dedicated to public sector executive search since 1999. Serving communities with populations over one million to towns as small as 2,000, she has built a substantial base of clients across the western U.S. that continually rely upon her personalized service and recruitment expertise.