Police Chief Candidates Narrowed to Seven

CATHEDRAL CITY – The field of candidates for police chief in this community has been narrowed to seven, Communications Manager Chris Parman told Uken Report.

The city contracted with Bob Murray and Associates for an estimated $25,000 at to conduct a national search.  After initial screenings, there were 11 finalists.  From those, City Manager Charlie McClendon met with the recruiter on March 7 and reduced the pool down to seven.

Bob Murray and Associates, based in Roseville, is responsible for recruiting candidates, conducting interviews and performing reference checks, among other things.

They will be invited to interview by a committee tentatively on March 20 (unless issues around the Coronavirus prevents it).  Afterwards, the City Manager will make a decision.

“In the meantime, we are fortunate to have Interim Police Chief George Crum overseeing the police department while the process continues,” Parman said.

The city is looking to hire someone to replace Travis Walker. He parted ways with the city on Nov. 19 after being placed on paid administrative leave for six months. His leave coincided with a lawsuit a Cathedral City police dispatcher filed in which she accused him of sexual harassment.

During Walker’s leave, Anthony Yoakum served as Acting Police Chief. Yoakum submitted a letter.of resignation on Feb. 3 to take a job in Beaumont.

On Feb.  24, 2020, former Cathedral City Police Chief George Crum was sworn back into office as the Interim Police Chief.  He will serve in this capacity until the city can identify a new leader. Former Police Chief Crum served as Cathedral City’s police chief for three years and had more than 30 years in law enforcement experience.   Crum retired from the city of Cathedral City on November 2, 2017.