FROM STAFF REPORTS

The City of Elizabethton issued a press release on Wednesday and stated six of the 12 individuals in the running for the Chief of the Police position were invited to go through an “assessment center” process facilitated by the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), a public service unit of the University of Tennessee. Wednesday morning, the assessment panel completed the examination of the six candidates.

“The assessment center consists of three exercises, including a structured interview and two job-related simulations. Each of these were developed based on a set of key competencies, which are the set of expected traits we are looking for in the next Chief of Police,” the press release stated.

Each of the candidates are rated on three exercises by a panel of four experts, each of whom are from out of town and experienced in the hiring and assessment process.

The top three individuals plus the current interim chief will go to the next step which includes a background check and a standardized psychological assessment scheduled for next week. The final step in the process is an interview with the City Manager Jerome Kitchens, followed by the actual selection using all the information developed.

The statement added that once all individuals that participated in Wednesday’s assessment are notified – the final four names of candidates will be released to the public. The announcement is expected within the next couple of days.

Currently, EPD Interim Chief Jason Shaw is in the running. The City Manager’s office did not confirm the remaining five candidates that took part in Wednesday’s assessment.

“This is a slow and deliberate process to find the most qualified person with the best fit for the City,” the press release stated. “As someone quipped “This is a big hire.” And we are treating it with all the attention it deserves.”

Key competencies the City of Elizabethton is looking for in their next Chief includes:

• Management Skills and Principles

• Knowledge of Current Legal Issues

• Analytical Skills and Knowledge of Technology Resources

• Interpersonal Skills

• Work Habits and Motivation

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The 12 candidates that applied for the position included:

• Jason Shaw

• Chris Mathes

• Timothy Horne

• Kelly Bowers

• Randy Phelps

• Kenneth Davis

• Daniel Terry

• James Nygaard

• Robert Fisher

• David Hindman

• Charles A. DeMar

• James Paris