Interim Police Chief Jane Moran told me last night she will submit her name for permanent police chief. Moran, a long time veteran of the police force, was appointed interim chief after the death of Police Chief William Webber last fall.
At their meeting last night, the Board of Selectmen talked about the process they’ll use to recruit a new chief. They plan to form a search committee of about seven members. The committee will narrow down the field to a few finalists, and then selectmen will make the final decision.
Selectman Sal Giorlandino said Moran should automatically be one of the finalists. “It doesn’t mean she’d get the job. She would be considered along with the other candidates.” Giorlandino said he expects there will be stiff competition for the job.
Sgt. Sean James spoke on Moran’s behalf. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch Chief Moran do this job for six or eight months, and I can tell you, she’s done a great job.”
A 50-year Southborough resident asked selectmen why they need to search at all. “Why are we going through this process? We have someone, we know who we have.”
For her part, Moran commended the board for going through the process. “The department has been under a lot of stress for the past few years, and it’s time to move forward.”
Moran also applied for the position of chief five years ago, but the job went to Chief Webber.
The most contentious point of the evening was whether or not the new police chief should be a Southborough resident. More on that discussion tomorrow.
