Largo's next step: Select temporary police chief

Two department veterans are being considered to replace Jerry Bloechle in October. A national search will be conducted to find a permanent replacement.

By ERIC STIRGUS

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 23, 2000

LARGO -- Saying it might take a year to hire a new police chief, City Manager Steven Stanton said Thursday he will promote someone in the department as acting chief once current Chief Jerry Bloechle retires in October.

Stanton said he will likely appoint Deputy Chief Judy Gershkowitz to the position of acting chief. The choice could be made as soon as next week, Stanton said.

Another candidate mentioned by Stanton was Capt. John Carroll, 42, a 20-year veteran who is the department's head of patrol. Gershkowitz, 44, a 15-year veteran, is the highest-ranking woman in the department.

Stepping into the role of acting chief will be difficult for either person, Stanton acknowledged. The past two months have been filled with turmoil for Largo officers, who are trying to find their footing after a scandal and suggestions the Police Department should be dismantled in favor of the county Sheriff's Office. In internal investigation released May 5 found three Largo officers had sex with youths involved in the department's Explorer program, which provides on-the-job training. Two weeks ago, Bloechle announced his retirement, citing the stress of the investigation and a brief hospital stay for an irregular heartbeat.

A day after Bloechle announced his retirement, Pinellas County Sheriff Everett Rice said the time was right to discuss a contract that would turn over law enforcement duties to the county. City leaders are adamantly opposed to the sheriff's idea.

"You obviously have a department with a lot of uneasiness," Stanton said.

Though one of the department's top commanders will be promoted to acting chief, Stanton said the task of restoring the city's complete faith in the Police Department will be a "collaborative effort" of department leaders.

Gershkowitz, who was named deputy chief in July 1997, declined to comment Thursday. Carroll could not be reached.

The search for a chief will be a lengthy, selective process, involving candidates from throughout the country, Stanton said. The effort will be handled by city staff and police. Neither Gershkowitz nor Carroll are interested in the job on a permanent basis, Stanton said.

Stanton said he will launch the search by creating a list of qualities desired in the next chief. From there, advertisements seeking job applicants will be placed in national journals. Stanton said he expects from 80 to 200 people to apply. A committee will review those applications and whittle the list of candidates to about 20. A written questionnaire will be sent to those people.

By that time, Stanton expects about five to seven finalists.

The final step: Stanton, a police detective and a union official, will visit each finalist. After the visits, committee members will choose the next chief.

Stanton defended the length and scope of the selection process.

"Sometimes, it takes a lot of time to get extremely good people," he said.

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