With the retirement of Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock on April 2nd, the City of Myrtle Beach is actively looking for a new police chief.
Meredith Denari, City of Myrtle Beach Communications and Creative Services Director, sent out the below press release yesterday, concerning the police chief search:
The City of Myrtle Beach has retained Public Sector Search & Consulting to conduct a nationwide search for the next chief of the Myrtle Beach Police Department. The announcement follows Police Chief Amy Prock’s decision Monday to retire effective April 2. City Manager Fox Simons shared the following message Thursday afternoon with Police Department personnel, city staff and City Council outlining and detailing the process and next steps as the city begins this important transition.
Search for Myrtle Beach’s Next Police Chief
“Good afternoon,
As you all know, the selection of the next police chief is an important hiring decision for the city. We are engaging in the services of Public Sector Search and Consulting to conduct a nationwide search, and they will assist during the entirety of the process. Our shared belief is that this process should be thoughtful, comprehensive, and transparent. This firm has placed over 120 police chiefs in the last 7 years from the largest to smallest cities in the United States. This firm, unlike most others, exclusively works on law enforcement executive searches. A unique characteristic of this firm is the level of engagement they get from stakeholders, including the community, in the process.
This firm will conduct numerous forums to reach a cross-section of citizens in the community. This will include in-person forums across the city and virtually for those that cannot attend. The business community will also have the opportunity to be engaged in the process. Lastly, they will also interview council, select department heads, and members of the police department (both civilian and sworn team members). These interviews will also be supplemented by surveys of the community and the police department.
This engagement with stakeholders will allow the search firm the opportunity to learn what characteristics and traits are important for the next chief to have and their ideas on priorities for the police department under the leadership of the new chief. Much of this information will be used to create a position profile and recruiting brochure to advertise for the position.
This search and selection process will not be quick and likely lasting until early to mid-summer before the next chief is identified, but it is important to get it right.
As best we can, we will all keep you apprised of the process as it progresses.”
