Fewer than 10 residents attended Amarillo’s Aug. 25 community meeting on the search for a new police chief, but those who came offered pointed feedback on the qualities they expect from the city’s next law enforcement leader.
The search follows the February retirement of former Chief Martin Birkenfeld, who had led the department since 2020. Birkenfeld stepped down after the city “mutually agreed to part ways” with him, according to a Feb. 21 news release. His departure came amid public scrutiny for writing a letter in support of former Perryton High School coach Cole Underwood, who was convicted of sexual misconduct involving a minor. That letter was read aloud in court during Underwood’s sentencing and sparked criticism from community members.
Jimmy Johnson, a longtime officer with APD, has been serving as interim chief since Birkenfeld’s retirement.
Deputy City Manager Andrew Freeman said Monday’s meeting marked an early step in identifying a permanent replacement. The city has hired Public Sector Search & Consulting, a firm that specializes in public safety leadership recruitment.
“This is just part of our process of trying to get engagement from the community,” Freeman said. “We don’t even have a draft job description yet. We’re waiting on this feedback so we can build a recruitment brochure that reflects the expectations and hopes of this future chief of police.”
The firm will post the position for about 30 days before narrowing the applicant pool to a top 10, then seven or eight for virtual interviews. Four or five finalists will be invited to Amarillo for in-person interviews and public forums.“Once they’re finalists, we’ll publicize their names and backgrounds so the public can meet them and provide feedback,” Freeman said.
Community feedback highlights culture and compassion
Dr. Shanna James, executive director of Andrea’s Project, said the process itself is critical because it gives residents a direct role in shaping the department’s future.
“It’s really important that this city is trying to get community feedback on what we want in our police chief,” she said. “That shapes the culture of what our Police Department becomes. It starts with leadership, and it’s very important to have certain qualities and attributes in place that reflect what our city actually wants.”
James emphasized that law enforcement leadership must balance enforcement with prevention and collaboration. “It’s not just about keeping our community safe through arrests,” she said. “It’s also about prevention — strategic planning, determining what kind of units and training officers receive, and being willing to work with organizations and individuals who may have different experiences or backgrounds. That collaboration makes our community safer.”
Despite the small turnout, James said the discussion was productive.
“The people who showed up were very passionate and actively participating,” she said. “Ten people is actually a pretty good number for a focus group. Would it have been helpful to have more people listening? Absolutely. But the voices in the room mattered, and we don’t want to lose the good things the department is already doing.”
Virginia Williams Trice, with Amarillo Housing First, said the next chief must be accessible and willing to hear concerns about the treatment of unhoused residents.
“Just because they don’t have a home doesn’t mean they’re not human,” she said.
Another resident added that Amarillo needs a chief who is “genuine and authentic, someone you can walk up to and know they’re really listening.”
Consultant with national experience
Monday’s meeting was facilitated by Justin Doll, a senior consultant with Public Sector Search & Consulting. Doll retired in 2021 after 27 years with the Anchorage Police Department, including four years as chief, before moving into recruitment.
The firm, which is made up largely of retired police chiefs, emphasizes a “boutique-style” approach that limits its client list to provide direct service and incorporate community input throughout the process. It has led multiple searches in Dallas, Boulder, Killeen and for the University of Texas System.
Doll said Amarillo’s concerns mirror those in many other cities.
“You might be surprised to learn that a lot of communities across the country are dealing with the same issues you’re describing here,” he told attendees. “What matters most is not whether the candidate grew up in Amarillo, but whether they are the right leader to listen, learn and guide the department forward.”
Inside versus outside
The discussion also touched on whether the next chief should come from inside the department or from elsewhere. Some argued a local candidate would know the city’s challenges best. Others warned promoting from within risks continuing the same problems.
“If the culture is broken and hasn’t been addressed, promoting someone who’s been silent about it won’t fix anything,” one resident said.
Doll acknowledged both perspectives but urged attendees to focus on qualities rather than résumés. “There are advantages to someone rooted in the community, but also advantages to an outsider who can bring a fresh set of eyes,” he said.
Concerns about focus
Residents also criticized what they see as misplaced priorities. One said Amarillo police spend too much time citing unhoused residents for minor violations instead of addressing violent crime and human trafficking. Another pointed to a 2023 fatal police shooting of a man with mental health issues as a failure of de-escalation.
Freeman said those comments reinforce the importance of listening now.
“A lot of what people have shared so far is a desire for transparency, integrity, collaboration, and someone who will be visible in the community,” he said. “If those are the expectations, then those are the qualities we’ll be asking about in interviews.”
Doll cautioned that expectations will be high for whoever is chosen. Recruiting and retaining officers is a challenge across the country, and Amarillo’s next chief will have to balance building trust with supporting officer wellness.
Freeman added that continuity matters too.
“There are some really good programs and technology projects already in place at APD, and we don’t want to lose momentum on those,” he said. “It’s about finding the right person to keep the positives going while also making improvements where the community expects them.”
How to provide input
The City of Amarillo is continuing to gather public feedback through an online survey to help guide the selection of the next chief of police. The survey is anonymous and will be open through Friday, August 29.
Public participation will help identify the qualities, experience, and public safety priorities that matter most to the Amarillo community.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo begins police chief search with small but vocal community turnout
Reporting by Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
