Explainer: How UO searched for its new permanent police chief
The University of Oregon's nationwide search for its new police chief included 19 applicants narrowed down to two finalists, ultimately naming Jason Wade as UO Police Department chief on May 31.
Wade had served as interim chief since November and was previously a captain with the force.
Wade replaced Matthew Carmichael, who left UO in November to take a job as chief of police for Texas State University. Carmichael did not receive any bonuses, payouts or financial packages upon leaving, according to UO spokesperson Kay Jarvis. Wade's annual salary as the new chief is $166,400.
The candidates and finalists
There were 19 applicants total for the position, according to Jarvis.
The two selected as finalists were Wade and Stephen Mayoral, an officer and former deputy chief for the Los Angeles School District. Mayoral also served in various lecturer roles at different California universities to teach school policing, according to the resume he submitted to the UO.
In May, the two finalists gave virtual presentations on the topic of “Public safety and community policing: How do you build trust, legitimacy, and accountability within a university campus environment?” The presentations were open to the public and posted to the "Around the O" website.
Community members were able to submit feedback on the candidates through an online survey on the UOPD website, which closed four days after the final presentation.
Search conducted by contracted firm
The nationwide search was led by the contracted firm Spelman & Johnson.
The UO paid a total of $83,100 to Spelman & Johnson for helping lead the recruitment process. The firm was required to conduct several rounds of interviews and debrief with the university's search committee after each round, according to the contract obtained by The Register-Guard through a records request. The firm was also required to search for well-qualified candidates from minority groups, according to the contract.
The firm was required to do background checks to see if the candidates had any criminal history, check with references, get confirmation on their degrees, and look at online reviews for any controversies or areas of concern.
The contract details using a variety of ways the firm would search for candidates such as leveraging their social networks, placing ads in local newspapers as required by the university's solicitation guidelines, and then following up with calls and emails.
As part of the contract, Spelman & Johnson would reopen the search and replace the candidate they recommended if they leave within one year of the hire at no additional cost (outside of leaving for disability or organizational change).
The contract commenced in April 2018, while Carmichael was still serving as chief, and was scheduled to extend until November 2022.
Saul Hubbard, media relations and communications manager for UO, said the contract is a "foundation contract," essentially a price agreement between the university and Spelman Johnson for employee searches.
The agreement started in 2018 was not specifically tied to the search for a new chief or any other employee search but rather "allows the UO to order the services when needed."
An amendment to the agreement in November 2021 sparked the search for a new chief, Hubbard added.
Makeup of department
As of late June, there were 14 armed officers and six community service officers.
The UO Police Department was formally established in October 2013, and began equipping officers with guns in July 2013. Some students have opposed having armed campus police, and the student group "Cops Off Campus UO" has worked to disarm and defund the department.
Louis Krauss covers breaking news for The Register-Guard. Contact him at lkrauss@registerguard.com, and follow him on Twitter @LouisKraussNews.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Explainer: How UO searched for its new permanent police chief
