Police chief candidates narrowed to four
JANESVILLE — Four finalists will interview this month for the Janesville police chief opening.
The Janesville Police and Fire Commission announced its candidates Thursday.
The finalists are:
-- Thomas J. Christensen, deputy police chief, Racine.
-- Michael D. Kostecki, former police chief, McHenry, Ill.
-- Dave J. Moore, deputy police chief, Janesville.
-- Bradford L. Woods, former commander, Chicago.
Moore, acting police chief, was the only internal applicant among 43 people from 19 states, said Staci Nielson, chair of the police and fire commission.
“We’re looking for someone that can come right in and do the job,” Nielson said. “We definitely feel that we’ll be able to select a candidate from the group.”
The commission was looking for candidates from cities similar to Janesville or cities in the region, Nielson said.
It also wanted candidates with experience as police chief or second in command, she said.
“I would say that all of them have a good mix of experience and personality,” Nielson said. “I think any of them would be a benefit to Janesville.”
The finalists will be interviewed Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, said Sue Musick, human resources director.
External candidates will take a tour of the community and police department, she said.
All finalists will be required to take a written exercise and give an oral presentation, Musick said. The written and oral exercise will be about how the finalists would respond to a problem.
Candidates will meet with police union leadership, police command staff, city department heads and other staff members, she said.
The commission then will listen to feedback from staff members and interview candidates, Musick said.
Commission members will deliberate after the interviews and could decide to offer a finalist the job that day, Nielson said.
The commission also could decide later, conduct more interviews with the finalists or invite more applicants for interviews, she said.
Applicants were from as far as New York, Florida and Oregon, Musick said.
Former Chief Neil Mahan retired in January 2009.
Thomas J. Christensen
Current job: Deputy chief of the Racine Police Department. He is the department’s administration commander.
Previous experience: He has climbed the ranks of the Racine Police Department since 1978. He also has been patrol commander and director of the 911 Communications Center.
Education: UW-Milwaukee, master’s degree, public administration; Carthage College, bachelor’s degree, public management and criminal justice.
Highlights: He has been involved in numerous professional associations. He also has held many positions within the department. His cover letter states he has the experience, management skills and education required for the job. He said he has the ability to engage individuals, institutions and employees in the problem-solving process.
Michael D. Kostecki
Current job: He is managing a business in an industry outside his profession while searching for a position in law enforcement.
Previous experience: Chief of the McHenry, Ill., Police Department from 1999 to 2001. Commander of the Addison, Ill., Police Department after climbing the ranks from 1972 to 1999.
Education: Lewis University, master’s degree, criminal and social justice; Western Illinois University, bachelor’s degree, law enforcement administration.
Highlights: He has been involved in numerous professional associations. His cover letter states he has demonstrated strong leadership, management skills and interpersonal skills throughout his career. He said he has had a diverse career in law enforcement with a record of accomplishment.
Dave J. Moore
Current job: Deputy chief of the Janesville Police Department. He is in charge of patrol and investigative services. He currently is acting police chief.
Previous experience: He has been promoted through the ranks of the Janesville Police Department since 1977. He has led all aspects of the police department.
Education: UW-Whitewater, master’s degree, corporate/public communication; Mount Senario College, bachelor’s degree, criminal justice administration.
Highlights: He has volunteered to serve on Janesville committees, clubs and community organizations. His cover letter states he is a life-long Janesville resident who is honored to serve the community. He said Janesville is the only place he desires to be police chief.
Bradford L. Woods
Current job: Self-employed consultant
Previous experience: He was promoted from officer to commander of the Chicago Police Department from 1970 to 2007.
Education: Adler Institute of Professional Psychology, master’s degree, counseling psychology; Lewis University, bachelor’s degree, criminal justice.
Highlights: He was a Northwestern University Command School instructor from 1993 to 2007. His cover letter states he takes pride in his knowledge of all aspects of policing. He said the thought of working for residents of Janesville is exhilarating.
Apr 22, 2009 at 2:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
My vote goes to acting Chief Moore. He is familiar with the community and has been doing a fine job so far. We really need someone that is local. Chief Moore has been on the force a long time and knows Janesville very well. He knows the problems we have and works really well with the community. He has addressed the Neighborhood Action Team numerous times and has been very open with the community. No need to look outside the city when we already have the obvious choice right in front of us. Thirty two years on the force says it all.
Apr 3, 2009 at 11:14 p.m.
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The choice seems clear. Keep it local this time. We have a well-qualified, capable candidate who wants the job. I'd say we're pretty lucky! If David Moore doesn't get it, he would certainly look good as an applicant for chief somewhere else, every bit as good or better than the other applicants under consideration here right now.
Apr 3, 2009 at 10:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
It seems pretty clear to me at least, that of the four candidates only two should actually be considered for this position, Moore and Christensen. The other two candidates are not involved in law enforcement anymore and we need someone who is currently in touch with whats going on, the rank of Chief is the top rank and there will be no time for on the job training or getting reaquainted with the current problems that face our community when the next Chief takes that position! Kostecki yes has had prior Chief experience but he only held that position for 2 or 3 years and not since 2001, we need someone that is going to stick around this time, Woods was Commander of the Chicago Police dept from 1970-2007 so I would have to guess that he is ready to retire, (and may have already) since he has been away now since 07. I for one can only hope that they take this into consideration when they name our citys next Chief! All that now being said I still would have to back Deputy Chief Moore seeing how the current drug problems our area has recently seen growing and growing right before our eyes everyday, we do not have the time for A new Chief to play catch up on this and many other problems in crime our city faces.
Apr 3, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
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Hire Dave already! We tried an external canidate and he was never quite "connected" to Janesville. for example, at every coummunity event, Dave was there. He Loves this town like the other canidates never could.
Apr 3, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
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I still cast my support to Moore. He is smart, savvy, and has that certain human factor that will make him a great chief. As for the candidates that have formerly held leadership positions, I sure would expect the folks doing the evaluations to take a hard look at why those candidates are "formers"
Apr 3, 2009 at 11:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
These look to be excellent candidates. I am most concerned about how the new chief will allocate resources to keep Look West and the Fourth Ward safe. Our first warm days here are already attracting "bidness".
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