Pending reference checks, the Select Board has selected a consultant to aid in the search for a police chief.
John Parow of John Parow Consulting & Associates was selected from the two bids received by the town. The board agreed to a contract of $11,800, making Parow’s firm the low bidder. The one competitor, Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI), submitted a $13,700 bid.
The search for a new police chief follows the resignation in August of former Police Chief James MacIsaac, who had been with the department in various roles since 1990. The Select Board appointed then-Assistant Police Chief Mark Hurley as the interim chief. His appointment was effective Aug. 25.
The selection was made on Monday night, following a public interview of both consulting candidates, as board members weighed the benefits of each: in Parow’s case, a personal and more local touch; in MRI’s case, a broader reach.
“I think also, especially since we want a search that looks and considers every qualified and interested candidate internally, but also every qualified and interested candidate externally, a person who is local could be a real strength,” said Select Board Chair Matt Taylor.
Unlike MRI, which consults on the hiring of all municipal executive offices, Parow’s firm specializes in public safety. Parow himself is a retired chief of the Chelmsford Fire Department with 25 years of consulting experience; his associate, Ken Lavallee, is a retired police chief.
“We will give you whatever time you want,” Parow said in his interview Monday night. “Our philosophy is to provide more services than you expect to get. I’ll be available by phone 24/7.”
Parow outlined a process that included reviewing and screening applications; participating in Police Chief Screening Committee meetings and interviews; hosting a public meeting to offer residents a chance to provide input on what they’d like to see in their next police chief; and finally, visiting finalists’ homes and interviewing their neighbors (within reason). He also described a process in Tewksbury where a deputy chief candidate was asked to run point on a staged incident involving police response.
Parow said he’d also be looking for candidates who understand policing in Massachusetts, particularly with respect to the police reform law. The rubric for reviewing finalists will depend on the feedback Parow receives from town officials and the public.
“I think that having some meetings with residents could also show that we’re taking a broader temperature check of the community to help inform but not dictate the process,” Taylor said.
Town Administrator Patrice Garvin said while she was familiar with MRI— she’d been through their recruiting process once before as a candidate in a town manager search—and could attest to their rigorous screening process and expansive resources, Parow brings “years of municipal experience to the table that’s more locally focused.”
Even before bids were opened, all three members were leaning toward Parow, despite agreeing that both candidates would serve the town well.
“[The bids] are roughly where I thought they would be,” Garvin said.
Screening Committee Charge
Following the selection of Parow, the Select Board also voted on the charge of the Police Chief Screening Committee.
The committee, which will meet over fall 2025 and winter 2026 to screen candidates put forth by the Parow’s firm, will consist of seven members: one former Select Board member, one retired or current police chief from another Massachusetts municipality, one representative from the Human Rights Commission and/or a Belmont Against Racism designee, one representative from the Council on Aging, one town resident, Town Administrator Patrice Garvin (or a designee) and school Superintendent Jill Geiser (or a designee).
Ultimately, after an internal screening process, the committee will recommend two to four candidates as finalists to forward to the Select Board, at which point the names of the finalists will be made public.
Finalists will be interviewed publicly by the Select Board, which will be the final step in the decision-making process.
Interested individuals can apply to be on the screening committee by visiting the town website at belmont-ma.gov.