Oct. 23--Selected to become Altoona's next public safety director, Jesse James says his 12 years of experience in the department will serve him well as he looks to lead the city's police and fire units.
"I've worked with these guys so long, I know each of them very well. I know their strengths. I know their weaknesses," James said.
James, an Eau Claire North graduate, joined the department in September 2001, became a full-time officer the next year and has worked as an investigator for the past four years.
The Altoona Police and Fire Commission Monday moved to offer James the position.
James has been serving as the interim director. Former Director James Small announced his resignation, for family reasons, in September.
The commission voted 4-0 in closed session, with one member, Tracey Held, abstaining.
"He did a good job" as interim director, said Michael Wall, chairman of the commission, referring both to James' current stint and his time as interim director two years ago when former director Todd Chaney retired.
City Administrator Mike Golat said he will go over the salary offer with James today. Small's annual salary was $76,460.
The new contract will have to be approved by the City Council, Wall said, and a background check and other formalities will be conducted before the hire is formalized.
Golat said James is qualified for the position.
"He has demonstrated strong leadership abilities and has strong credentials," Golat said.
Wall said the commission did not advertise the position but, instead, worked from a list of candidates that was compiled two years ago after Chaney's departure.
James said he wants the departments to continue the positive momentum they had under Small's leadership, and he will look to make improvements of his own. James said he's considering adding a supervisory position to the Police Department and wants to institute more cross-training among police, fire and EMS personnel.
Position split
Meanwhile, there is a looming question whether the commission will split off the fire chief duties from the police chief job.
The public safety director is estimated to spend 25 percent of the time as fire chief and 75 percent as police chief. If the position were to be split, the fire chief would become a part-time position.
"I know it's not a dead issue," James said Tuesday, saying he will embrace the job regardless of the outcome.
The police and fire chief positions were merged in 1999, when the demands of the job were not as intense, Golat has said.
Swedien can be reached at 715-833-9214, 800-236-7077 or [email protected].
Copyright 2013 - The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.
