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Group Wants Next Police Chief to Meet Certain Qualifications

OMAHA (KPTM)-The Omaha Alliance for the Private Sector made a  public  list of qualifications the group believes the next Omaha Police Chief needs.

Members said the ability to balance a budget and reach out to the public are high priorities. But at the top of the list is a police chief who will stay put more than a few years.

"It's hard for the rank and file people because hopefully you've got a leader who's charting the course. Here's what we're going to do but if that changes every two and a half years, every 13 months or even four years isn't that long when that keeps changing," Chip Maxwell said.

The group said it's not entirely against someone being hired from within, but said it's unlikely noticeable changes will be made in that case.

The group also says someone from the outside won't quickly qualify for retirement benefits, so he or she will have to stay longer.

A representative from the city said the city has gone to great lengths to ensure that we hire the most qualified police chief possible.

A list of finalized candidates should be made public in just a few weeks.