Fargo Police Chief Chris Magnus faced members of the Vancouver, Wash., community Sunday night as round one of judging got under way in the city's search for a new chief.
Last week, Magnus was named as one of six finalists for the police chief job in Vancouver. Originally, 57 people applied for the job.
Magnus and the five other finalists, who came from Austin, Texas; Tigard, Ore.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Vancouver and Los Angeles, participated Sunday in the informal meet-and-greet session.
About 35 community members attended the event to talk with and ask questions of the candidates.
Also in attendance were large groups of neighborhood association members. Magnus thanked them for their interest.
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"Active neighborhood associations are a sign of a healthy community," he said.
Magnus said Fargo has faced many of the same challenges Vancouver is facing now and both are experiencing rapid growth.
"The city is becoming more diversified, and handling it in a good way," he said.
If he receives the job, Magnus said he would like to focus on community policing and working within a tighter budget.
The Vancouver Police Department includes 176 sworn officers and 30 civilians and has an annual budget of $18.9 million. The city has a population of about 143,500 and is across the Columbia River from Portland, Ore.
The one-hour session with community members was just the beginning for Magnus, however.
Today, a 13-member panel of community members and city leaders will interview Magnus and the other finalists. His formal interview takes place Tuesday.
Vancouver City Manager Pat McDonnell said he would like to make a decision by early November, following visits to each of the finalist's communities.
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Mhari Doyle, a reporter for The Columbian in Vancouver, Wash., contributed to this story
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mary Jo Almquist at (701) 241-5531
