Salinas’ search for its next police chief begins in earnest for the second time this year.

Salinas’ new City Manager Rene Mendez inherited a city with a number of leadership positions being filled by interim roles – chief among them at the police department.

Mendez has said his top priority is finding a permanent police chief, which has been held on an acting basis by Salinas police veteran John Murray since former chief Roberto Filice resigned in January.

Earlier this month, the City of Salinas released a survey asking the public what qualities and experience they want to see in the next police chief. A week after the survey went live, it had received more than 500 responses, according to Mendez.

“I’m really encouraging the community to weigh in on what they want to see in a police chief,” he says.

The survey, at tinyurl.com/SalinasLeadership, runs through June 30.

The initial search shortly after Filice’s resignation drew the ire of former police chief Kelly McMillin and others, who alleged it was taking place out of the public eye. Interim Vallejo Police Chief Jason Ta was reportedly tapped for the role, but an agreement never materialized, and city officials declined to comment, citing confidentiality reasons.

Mendez says he’s hoping to get the community involved – he plans to report the results of the survey after it concludes as well as hold public meetings about the search.

The city has retained the firm Bob Murray & Associates as the recruiter – which includes former Salinas chief Adele Fresé on its staff, who served in the role from 2016-2022 – and the job listing went live on Tuesday, June 25.

According to the listing, applications will be accepted through Aug. 4, and the position has an annual salary of $185,112 to $236,256, plus benefits.

Mendez says the results of the survey will be shared with the recruiter, who will then review the initial candidates before narrowing them down for Mendez to interview and make the final decision. He expects the process to take about three months.

“Ultimately I want to find a good fit for our community,” Mendez says.

Murray, who has been with the Salinas Police Department for 28 years, is interested in the job.

A Salinas resident for 32 years who is originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Murray has served in numerous positions in the department, most recently assistant chief before being named to lead the department after Filice’s resignation.

“I’d like to continue the good work we’re doing,” he says. “I’m excited about the opportunity to make this permanent.”

Murray, who holds a master’s degree in homeland security from the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security, says he encourages officers to pursue their own higher educational paths, which he adds makes them more “socially conscious in their own community” and open to creative approaches to policing.

The Salinas Police Department is authorized to have 161 sworn officers, but is currently at 131. Law enforcement agencies around the country are facing challenges with recruiting and retention, and while Salinas is no exception, Murray says the department is at a turning point.

“There’s a lot of energy, and we’ve done a lot of things to enhance our recruitment efforts and our retention,” he says. “We’re getting a lot of interest.”