ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — As the City of Albany surveys residents on what they want to see in the next police chief, City Manager Terrell Jacobs will make the final hire.

How the search works

The hiring process begins with an internal and external search to identify qualified candidates.

Top contenders will advance to an assessment center, which includes interviews and real-world scenarios evaluated by a panel. The panel typically includes outside law enforcement leaders, city officials and community members.

The city is issuing a bid for an independent firm to help assemble the panel, design the simulation tests and ensure fair scoring.

Once the firm compiles the results, Jacobs plans to review the findings and consult with the city commission in an executive session before making a final selection.

Community input and transparency

Community input from citizen surveys will help shape the scenarios and questions used during the assessment center.

Jacobs said the city also plans to release the names and backgrounds of the finalists to the public.

“I’m quite sure people are going to do their own research to determine who, what, where, and how these people came to be in these positions. So, hopefully that will help as best we possibly can,” Jacobs said.

What Jacobs is looking for

Jacobs said the incoming chief’s greatest challenge will be addressing perceptions about crime in Albany.

“We’re probably always going to have crime, just like every community has crime. But, you know, giving them a sense, a feel that we have it under control, and we are doing proactive things to try to address it,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said he is looking for a candidate with vision and leadership skills.

“People skills, interpersonal skills to relate to all, you know, different groups in regards to that. Be highly visible. That’s one of the things, just like my position, you got to be out there in the community as much as you possibly can, so that the community is aware who is in that position and who leading the police department,” Jacobs said.

Timeline

Jacobs hopes to offer a contract by December, with a start date in early 2027. That would allow the new chief to spend a month working alongside Chief Persley before he retires in February.

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