For the Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – It will be some time before Marshfield gets a new police chief

The city’s fire & police commission (PFC) discussed the process during its April 14 meeting and decided to take the go-slow approach; while officially naming Pat Zeps as the “acting police chief,” something he’s been doing since former Chief Rick Gramza went on administrative leave last August.

Human Resources Director Jen Rachu told the commission the city could conduct an internal search, or hire an outside consultant to help the city attract a bigger field of qualified candidates.

But Rachu also said a consultant also comes with a price tag of $25-40,000, which Commissioner Gordy Earll was not a big fan of.

Mike Meyers said there are advantages to hiring from within, including getting a return on investment.

With everything that’s gone on at the police department in recent months, City Administrator Steve Barg told the commission it may be in the best interests of the city to conduct a broad search.

With Andy Keogh absent from the meeting, and Jennifer Meece recently resigning from the commission, President Randy Gershman said a special meeting should be held in the near future to discuss the topic once a full panel is available.