Police chief finalists named

Offer may be made by June 30

Three finalists have been identified in the search for a new Clear Lake police chief.

Paul Ver Meer, chief of the Creston, Iowa Police Department; Jeff Hanson, chief of the Spirit Lake Police Department; and Captain Pete Roth, employed by the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety.

City Administrator Scott Flory said the city hopes to make an offer of employment by June 30 and have the Council officially approve the appointment in early July.  The candidate would likely begin in early August.

“A common theme that we heard from others during our extensive position profile development was ‘leadership,’ ‘integrity,’ and ‘respect’.  I believe that all three finalists have demonstrated and embody these qualities,” said Flory.  “Each has toured the City and police facilities and undergone extensive background checking. There is no doubt that each of these three gentleman has the necessary skills and abilities to be successful as the police chief for Clear Lake.”

The City received 24 resumes from persons interested in becoming Clear Lake’s chief of police.   A committee of seven conducted preliminary telephone interviews with 10 candidates.  From that group, four were evaluated more extensively and invited, with their spouses, to the community separately for tours and an impromptu “meet & greet” with police department staff and various City officials. Three were then chosen as finalists for final interviews.

Flory said the interviews will be conducted in closed session, in accordance with the code of Iowa, with the mayor, city council members, city administrator and the city attorney. The final appointment will take place in a City Council open session meeting.