Santa Barbara seeks community input during search for next police chief
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The City of Santa Barbara is looking for community input before hiring its 29th Chief of Police.
Former Police Chief Lori Luhnow retired in February.
Interim Chief Bernard Melekian was sworn in on March 1, but isn't interested in the permanent position.
The Police Chief Recruitment community survey on Survey Monkey is open through Monday April 19. Responses are intended to help city leaders with the recruitment process which could take six months.
City Administrator Paul Casey said Santa Barbara is following the lead of San Luis Obispo. SLO launched a similar survey late last year to fill the vacancy left by Deanna Cantrell.