Gearhart began its recruitment for a new police chief at a special City Council meeting on Dec. 13.

The council chose GMP Consultants, based in Snoqualmie, Washington, to launch an executive search.

The firm’s consultants have worked on over 400 executive searches, said Greg Prothman, president of GMP Consultants, in his bid package.

“We believe our proven process provides a best practices approach to attracting high-quality candidates and ensuring a good fit for your organization,” he added.

The consultants are also working with the city of Ashland in the search for a chief, and have conducted searches in Washington, Idaho and Montana.

GMP Consultants’ proposal, at $15,000, was $9,000 less than the competing bidder. The city’s expenses, aside from the recruitment proposal, are expected to be an additional $5,000 for advertising, direct mail, consultant travel and background checks.

Gearhart police Chief Jeff Bowman will retire in April. He announced his retirement in November.

Bowman has been with the department since 1983, serving as reserve officer before being hired as a full-time police officer. He was promoted to Gearhart police lieutenant in January 1985.

Sgt. Ian Brown is the city’s other police officer, and the city has an opening for an entry-level officer.

Filling the chief’s position won’t be easy, City Councilor Dana Gould, a former law enforcement officer, said.

“There’s not going to be an abundance of people that are going to want to fill this position. I’m predicting that right now,” she said. “It’s a very tough time to fill this position.”

City Administrator Chad Sweet said conversations with Clatsop County Sheriff Matt Phillips indicated he was adequately staffed at the moment, and that the sheriff’s office would be able to assist the city as needed.

Seaside provides Gearhart with dispatch services for the Gearhart police and fire departments, he said.

“All departments in the county provide mutual aid services to each other,” Sweet said. “The departments have been working together for many years. Gearhart frequently helps neighboring departments as well.”

The sheriff’s office will be called out if a Gearhart officer is not on duty.

“We provide mutual aid, backup and assistance,” Phillips said. “I think the deputies and officers all work together wonderfully. We have a common mission and goals. And we always try to work as a team. We’re all here to help and support each other and make sure that the citizens have good law enforcement coverage.”

The City Council approved a motion to enter into an agreement with GMP Consultants. Mayor Kerry Smith, and councilors Gould, Reita Fackerell and Austin Tomlinson voted for the agreement. Preston Devereaux abstained from voting.

“Law enforcement isn’t something that you want to take shortcuts on because there’s too much vicarious liability for the city,” Gould said. “If you fail to train your officers, if you fail to have good policies, these are the people that will create liability for our city if we don’t make a good choice.”