People in Albany get a chance to weigh-in before city officials interview the finalists vying to be the next chief of police. The first of two public forums was held Wednesday night. Britt Godshalk has been following the developments closely and picks it up from there.

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Soon the eight finalists up for the position of Albany Police Chief may hear that very question. Members of the search committee took careful notes at this public forum as potential interview questions were posed by the city's residents in the South End.
James Tuffey left his post in September amid anonymous allegations that he used a racial slur when discussing a case with an assistant chief. The issue of race arose again.

"A lot of the police officers in my neighborhood are younger white men who did not grow up in a community like the South End," said one resident.

"I want to know where this chief stands on minority recruitment," said Albany Common Councilor Lester Freeman

Questions that committee member Alice Green says show a desire to learn the finalists positions on race, poverty and crime.

"It also educates the committee that this is an important question to ask," said Green.

Also a theme here, it’s the new chief's potential partnerships with the public.

"How are you going to implement the ideas and suggestions from the community," said Albany Common Councilor Corey Ellis.

Some residents say the same could be asked of the search committee. Back in December, a similar forum was held, during which residents called for more community policing, which then appeared on the job description.

But at this meeting, residents echoed Green's complaints this month that this second forum was an afterthought. Committee member Carolyn McLaughlin disagrees.

"This is what the intent was all along," said McLaughlin.

"Will he engage in the community," Anderson asked.

Residents weighed on not only which questions should be asked but for how long. Interviews are scheduled to begin March 11 and some residents say they'd like the finalists to be here for at least half a day.

"The committee has set aside an hour or hour in a half for each interview. I think that should be sufficient. If the committee decides it should be longer that's certainly possible. Much of the questions that were recommended that we utilize I think we will," said Albany Police Chief Search Committee Chair Larry Rosen.