Somerville Chooses Firm To Conduct Police Chief Recruitment

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City of Somerville announced recently that it has chosen Northbrook, Illinois-based GovHR to lead the search for the next chief of the Somerville Police Department.

Charles Femino has served as Somerville's acting police chief since the retirement of longtime Chief David Fallon in December 2020.

Now, the search for Fallon's long-term successor will be conducted by GovHR, a national public-sector recruitment firm that will conduct a rigorous recruitment process to help identify candidates for the job. The recruitment is expected to take place over the next several months.

Somerville officials said GovHR will conduct a nationwide search to identify candidates who align with the city's approach to public safety

"Selecting the right candidate to lead Somerville's Police Department is an immense responsibility, and one that demands a thoughtful and intentional recruitment," Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne said. "Our search must result in a pool of candidates who are both professionally qualified and ready to join our efforts to pursue a community-driven approach to public safety for all. GovHR exceeded the strict criteria we set to find the right recruitment partner, and I look forward to working with them."

The City of Somerville said it was thorough in its hiring of a recruitment firm. An Evaluation Committee reviewed proposals from different recruitment firms, judging the firms based on their qualifications, plan of service, references, past performance and diversity, equity and inclusion recruitment experience.

GovHr has over 30 years of experience recruiting for leadership positions in the public sector and has successfully recruited for nearly 80 chief of police roles in 14 states.

"Central to this search is securing candidates who understand the importance of the work we are doing to ensure equity and public safety for all," said Denise Molina Capers, the director of the Somerville Department of Racial and Social Justice. "We are excited to have GovHR on board and are deeply committed to continuing a process that is reflective of and prioritizes our shared community values."

GovHR's search is expected to be conducted in six phases, which will include information gathering, public engagement, candidate approval by the Somerville City Council and, ultimately, appointment by Ballantyne.