Halifax call on HR know-how to source new police chief

It’s a hard role to fill, it would seem

13 Aug. 2018

by Rachel Ranosa

Halifax is on the hunt for a new police chief – and it’s calling on recruitment specialists to help in the nationwide search.

In July, the incumbent Jean-Michel Blais announced he will be retiring next year after more than three decades on the force; with six years spent as chief of the Halifax Regional Police (HRP).

Officials are now looking for a qualified firm to “provide HR consulting services to assist with the recruitment,” a tender published online said. The HRP has proposed undertaking targeted recruitment and marketing strategies to source high-quality candidates.

The selected agency will be asked to assign a project manager to collaborate with the HRP’s search committee, and profile the position, post job advertisements, and shortlist candidates.

Councillor Steve Craig, who chairs the Board of Police Commissioners in Halifax and is part of the search committee, believes the best person for the job should come in knowing “full-well that the [HRP is] in the midst of a lot of change.”

“We need people who are competent, with a great attitude to step up and work well – not only with the staff and their police services people – but with the council and the police commission,” Craig said after Blais’ retirement was first announced.

While Blais maintains he will not be taking part in the selection of his replacement, Craig is counting on Blais to provide insights on who the best candidate will be and insists on consulting the chief.