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Posted on Wed, Dec 2, 2009 : 5:29 p.m.

Ypsilanti announces 6 finalists for top cop job

By AnnArbor.com Staff

Six candidates - 2 internal and 4 external - will be interviewed Friday at Ypsilanti City Hall as the city seeks to replace former Police Chief Matthew Harshberger.

The finalists are Ypsilanti police lieutenants Craig Annas and Amy Walker, along with Roy McCallister Jr., retired lieutenant and commanding officer from Detroit; Donald Porret, current Port Huron police chief; James Ridener, current Westland police chief; and Neal Rossow, current Flat Rock police chief.

Harshberger retired from his Ypsilanti post at the end of May this year to become the public safety director for Pittsfield Township.

City Manager Ed Koryzno hopes to extend a conditional offer to one of the candidates by the end of the next week, a press release said.

After that offer has been accepted, and a background investigation is done, the new police chief will be announced.

Comments

Myopinion25

Fri, Dec 4, 2009 : 8:32 a.m.

I don't believe in the good ole boy system either. IMHO, the person with the most relevant qualifications, and skills should get the job. There are certain experiences that should be had before stepping into a chief role. It's no position to hold and then start to learn the job, especially in Ypsilanti. Annas has been doing the job since Harshberger left, that's no secret. He is more qualified than Walker and that's not her fault. He's simply been there longer and had more years to learn more things. I'm sure that she knows more than he did 5 years ago when he was at her years of service. Walker would make an excellent second in command and could learn everything she doesn't already know for next time. The two of them should band together and run the department! But Annas should be the chief.

ypsidog

Fri, Dec 4, 2009 : 6:05 a.m.

Responding to "Concerned", Very well said, the "Good Ol Boy" practices have to go. Lt. Walker has a vast amount of experience in all phases of law enforcement. Lt. Walker brings fresh, diverse ideas to the table in many respects. Her performance and ethics at YPD have been, without question, exemplary. Lt. Walker views the diverse Ypsilanti community as a strengeh, rather than a weakness or problem, and possesses the leadership qualities required to unite the community rather than divide it. Let's support Lt. Walker in her bid to be the next Police Chief in the City of Ypsilanti.

concerned

Thu, Dec 3, 2009 : 9:39 p.m.

Dear City Manager, The candidate selected should have integrity, honesty, fairness, and be open to diversity. Ypsilanti city deserves better than the "Good ol boy" system. It is time for us to chose someone who has strength in administration, proven budgetary responsibilities, experienced union negotiations, and demonstrated ability to work with other local and state police departments. Ypsilanti needs someone who has community support, leadership skills, is respected amongst her peers, challenges the status quo and does not tolerate discrimination whether racial, economic, or social, and embraces diversity working with and serving the community. Lt. Walker is the communities' choice.

Get Real

Thu, Dec 3, 2009 : 5:36 p.m.

Dear City Manager, please remember the bad experiences from the last external candidate. The Selection for a new police chief should also be partly based on performance. It is well known that past performance or past behavior is a known predictor for future behavior. Certainly, any poor performance, poor behavior or recent disciplinary misconducts should be a factor as well.

Myopinion25

Thu, Dec 3, 2009 : 4:54 p.m.

We're going to try this again: I have to agree with ypsidog that external candidates may not be the best thing for Ypsilanti. However I have to disagree with his choice. Annas has more overall experience in more areas than Walker, most importantly administrative areas including budgets, union negotiations, and working closely with other local pds. Another reason the city should choose Annas over Walker is that he isnt dating a fellow officer which would become his subordinate if hes chosen! Surely theres a policy or ordinance or something that covers supervisors dating a subordinate?

ypsidog

Thu, Dec 3, 2009 : 8:34 a.m.

It is well documented that external candidates do not work out in Ypsilanti.Remember Len Supenski? So, there is only one viable candidate for Mr. Koryzon to select, Lt. Amy Walker, who is by far the most qualified to run YPD. Her combination of experience, education, and respect in the commuinty make her the perfect choice. YPD needs fresh, innovative leadership to run the department, especially in light of the City's budgetary crisis. Let's support Mr. Koryzno, and be confident that he will select Lt. Walker as the next Chief of Police in Ypsilanti.

cinnabar7071

Wed, Dec 2, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.

Or woman, my bad.

cinnabar7071

Wed, Dec 2, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.

Good luck, and may the best man win.