Ferguson, MO – The City of Ferguson has named the final four candidates for the position of Chief of Police after an extensive nationwide search. The City of Ferguson’s Human Resources Department conducted the search to fill the vacancy left by Interim Chief Andre Anderson, who submitted his resignation effective December 2, 2015.
The City closed its application process for the Chief of Police position on January 22, 2016, receiving 54 applications from candidates across the United States.
City Manager De’Carlon Seewood, Assistant Manager Matt Unrein and Human Resources Manager, Patrick Young narrowed the applications to 16, based on the following criteria: law enforcement experience, community engagement and professional accomplishments. A 15-page Police Chief Questionnaire was sent to the final 16 candidates on January 25, with a deadline to return on February 8. The top six candidates were chosen based on their responses to the questionnaire.
The six candidates were invited to interview in Ferguson with the following panels: Ferguson residents, Ferguson City Council members, and law enforcement executives and criminal justice experts. The panels narrowed the candidate pool from six to four.
The top four candidates were then interviewed by Ferguson department supervisors, members of the Ferguson Police Department and a group of Ferguson residents.
“We understand the importance of choosing the next leader of the Ferguson Police Department,” said Ferguson City Manager, De’Carlon Seewood. “We carefully selected candidates we felt had the experience to move the Ferguson Police Department forward, including someone who could immediately work with the community.”
City Manager De’Carlon Seewood will decide which candidate will move to the final phase, which includes an extensive background check from search the firm Baker Eubanks. The background process will last approximately two weeks. Mr. Seewood is expected to announce the new Ferguson Police Chief, by April, 2016.
The four final candidates are in alphabetical order:
Mark Becker currently serves as the Chief of Police for the East Chicago, Indiana Police Department. Prior to that he served as the Chief of the Portage, Indiana Police Department. In 2007, he retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after nearly 32 years of service. Becker has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has attended numerous executive management and leadership courses throughout his career, including the Force Science Institute.
Becker serves as a Board Member for the Lake County HIDTA and the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. In his capacity as Becker Consulting Group LLC, he has travelled the country representing the FBI in presentations regarding investigative matters and providing consulting and personal safety presentations to both the public and private sectors.
Brenda Jones currently serves as a Behavioral Specialist for Macon Charter Academy. She has over 28 years of law enforcement experience. She formerly served as the Chief of Police for the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Jones holds an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters degree in Public Administration. She is an FBI National Academy Graduate, Graduate of the Georgia Chief of Police Academy, Graduate of the Georgia Command College, and Graduate of the Arkansas Leadership Academy and was the class spokesperson. Jones served her country as a Member of the United States Air Force for six years.
Frank McCall Jr. currently serves as the Chief of Police for Berkeley, Missouri. McCall has participated in the FBI National Academy (221st Session), United States Department of Justice, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Executive Development Program and various Leadership/Management Development Programs.
McCall is experienced in grant writing, and relationship management (with all levels of government). He is a member of FBI National Academy Associates, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Associates, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, as well as numerous Police Chief’s Organizations.
Delrish L. Moss currently serves as the supervisor of Miami Police Department’s Public Information/Community Relations Section. He is the current President of the Miami Police Athletic League, a not-for-profit organization that pairs police officers with community children and builds relationships through sports and academic activities.
Moss is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the NAACP, and Tender Essence Incorporated, whose mission is to combat issues such as teen pregnancy, the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and violence.
Media Contact:
Jeff Small
(314) 801-8540
media@fergusoncity.com