Public Invited To Meeting On Choosing Palm Springs Police Chief

The public is invited to attend tonight’s special meeting of the city’s Human Rights Commission to provide input on criteria for the hiring of a new police chief, according to a city spokeswoman.

City officials are encouraging members of the public to attend to provide insight on what characteristics to look for in choosing the city’s next top cop.

“In Palm Springs, the people are the city,” City Manager David Ready said. “This meeting will be a way to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard regarding the qualities we are looking for in our next police chief.”

The city is seeking a replacement for David Dominguez, who resigned his position as police chief in January in the wake of the fallout over the Warm Sands-area sex sting.

Dominguez was connected to insensitive comments directed at gay men during the undercover operation, which took place in June 2009. He later admitted to those remarks during a court hearing for many of those arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and lewd conduct as a result of the sting.

Tonight’s meeting will be held in the council chamber at City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Interviews for the position will begin in early June, city spokeswoman Amy Blaisdell said. The next police chief will be the department’s 15th.

Al Franz has been serving as interim chief since Dominguez left the force.