City Selects Police Chief Recruitment Firm

WEST LINN, OR – April 29, 2021 – The City of West Linn has selected Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI) to assist with the recruitment for the next West Linn Chief of Police. Dr. Cassi Fields, Vice President of the ESCI Human Capital Division, will serve as Project Director.

Dr. Fields was unanimously chosen by the selection committee, which was comprised of Jules Walters, West Linn Mayor; Derrick Peterson, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Captain and President of the local chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE); Don Johnson, Lake Oswego Fire Chief and former Chief of Police; Elissa Preston, City of West Linn Human Resources Director; and Jerry Gabrielatos, West Linn City Manager.

City Manager Jerry Gabrielatos stated “It was important to me to have a range of perspectives to make this decision,” adding, “I am excited to move forward with Dr. Fields.”

“Now more than ever, community engagement and transparency are the keys to building trust and ensuring a successful police department,” said Dr. Fields, “the next Chief of Police for the City of West Linn must embody these philosophies, acutely understand the needs of the community, and provide transformational leadership qualities. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to work with the community to find a Police Chief with the qualities they deeply value.”

Dr. Fields will begin reaching out to key stakeholder groups next week, including, but not limited to the Police Accountability and Oversight Task Force, Building Bridges, West Linn Alliance for Inclusive Community, West Linn Chamber of Commerce, West Linn-Wilsonville School District, and the West Linn Community for Police Reform. These meetings will help provide Dr. Fields with community feedback that will be used to develop the position profile. The City expects the position to open for applications in May and finalists to be selected in June. The community will be invited to participate in the final interview process before an offer is made sometime in July. For more information regarding the City’s efforts with Police oversight as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please visit our DEI Website Hub.

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