Two Candidates Withdraw from Beaumont Police Chief Consideration
Beaumont, Texas – The field of finalists for Beaumont Police Chief narrowed to eight today, with both Vicki King and Phillip Jones officially withdrawing their names from the list of those being considered for the post.
King currently serves as Assistant Chief of Police in the Houston Police Department, and Jones is Commanding Officer of the Criminal Registration Section for the Chicago Police Department. They were among 11 finalists selected by City Manager Kyle Hayes to be interviewed for the position.
“While we are disappointed that these two candidates are no longer among the finalists, I remain confident that our next chief will be of the highest caliber,” Hayes said.
Interviews are expected to be held in August. Candidates will be interviewed by a panel of 10 citizens selected by Hayes to ensure community input in the decision. According to state law, the City Council must confirm the final selection, which is expected to come sometime in September.
Beaumont Police Chief Frank Coffin announced in March that he will retire effective Sept. 30. Coffin, who has been a member of the city’s police force for nearly four decades, has been its chief since 2006. The new chief will lead a department with approximately 300 employees and an annual budget of $30.6 million.