CEDAR RAPIDS (KWWL) -
Residents of Cedar Rapids will have the chance to meet the candidates hoping to become the city's newest Chief of Police.
An open house will be held on Thursday, August 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
All seven candidates have been invited to Cedar Rapids to interview with key city officials. The city feels that the public is a vital part of the selection process and would like residents to come meet the candidates.
Below is a certified list of the seven candidates who will attend the interviews and open house:
1. Wayne Jerman – Assistant Chief of Police, Montgomery County Department of Police, Rockville, MD
2. Thomas Bergamine – Former Chief of Police of Fayetteville Police Department, Fayetteville, NC
3. Michael Smathers – Captain of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte, NC
4. Robert Johnson – Captain/Executive Officer of Chicago Police Department, Chicago, IL
5. Zim Schwartze – Most Recently Director of Columbia Joint Communications Agency and Emergency Management Services, Columbia, MO
6. Steve O'Konek – Captain and Previous Acting Chief of Cedar Rapids Police Department, Cedar Rapids, IA
7. Brad Nelson – Patrol Division Commander of Columbia Police Department, Columbia, MO
The Chief of Police position was vacated earlier this year when Greg Graham left to take over his previous job in Florida.
