Longmont residents still have two days to share their thoughts on the qualities they want the next Public Safety chief to possess.
The city last month launched a survey to gauge which “skills, attributes and focus areas” residents believe are important in the next chief. The survey is part of the search process to replace Chief Mike Butler, who retired in July after 26 years with the department.
The survey, which closes on Sunday, is available in English and Spanish. Residents are asked to register on the city’s online engagement platform, Engage Longmont, before taking the survey.
The Public Safety chief oversees police and fire services, as well as dispatch and support services.
Butler before his retirement wrote a letter outlining some of the attributes he believes are needed for a chief to be successful. Among them were: being open to community building and engagement and change; being able to integrate all parts of Public Safety into the community; creating a positive culture in the department; and being approachable and optimistic.
He stated his successor should be able to “create necessary but flexible boundaries for Public Safety to ensure it does not become politicized, used for purposes not related to public safety, and to stay true to its purpose in our community.”
He also stated he believes public officials should be transparent and approachable and should value individuals within the community.
The next chief should be “very accessible, available, and approachable to anyone on staff and our community,” he wrote.
