On Thursday, City Manager Mark Washington announced four finalists in the search for Grand Rapids’ next chief of police.
The finalists include Mark Bliss, a deputy chief with the Detroit Police Department.
Rafael Diaz a police captain with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and a licensed Michigan attorney.
There’s also Eve Stephens, the former chief of police for the University of Texas at Austin and a retired commander from the Austin Police Department.
And there’s the current, interim police chief and deputy police chief of the Grand Rapids Police Department, Joseph A. Trigg.
All finalists are noted as having more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement.
The city is now inviting community members to participate in two engagement events.The events take place on Wednesday, June 17th at City Hall.
Officials say the events support the City’s commitment to transparency, public input and open communication.
The events include a community meet and greet at 5:45 pm and a public forum at 7 in City Commission Chambers.
Community members may submit topics and questions in advance. City Manager Washington will consider interviews, community feedback and background checks before making a final decision.
