City of Prineville won’t choose any of three police chief finalists after their visit; instead, the search will continue

(Update: Adding responses to questions posed to city officials)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A week after three finalists to become the next Prineville police chief paid a visit and met with officials and the community, the city announced Thursday that none of them will be chosen, and another round of searching will begin.

"The City of Prineville is extending its search for its next chief of police to ensure the best candidate is selected for the role," the announcement said.

"We are committed to finding both a well-qualified chief of police and one who will be a good fit for the community and the Prineville Police Department," said City Manager Steve Forrester. "Three candidates with excellent resumes were considered; however, after careful consideration, the decision was made to continue the search."

Last week, the candidates - Thomas Olson, Jeff Profio and Ronald Schaub - participated in a community meet-and-greet and underwent interviews with panels comprising city department heads, police department staff, public safety leaders, community members, and city councilors.

"Given the chief’s pivotal role, we will continue our search until we find the right leader to serve and strengthen our community," Forrester added.

City officials said Prineville will continue accepting applications and initiate a second round of evaluations in July.

Responding to city questions, they provided this statement:

"The decision to extend the search was made after gathering feedback from community members, city department heads, police staff, public safety leaders, and city councilors. We are committed to finding a candidate with the right qualifications and experience who also aligns with Prineville's values and culture. Community members will have the opportunity to meet future candidates, who will participate in panel meetings with regional public safety professionals, community leaders, and Prineville Police Department members. We are excited to continue our search and are confident we will find the right person to serve and strengthen our community."

"The start date will depend on the candidate's availability. In the meantime, our police and dispatch team have maintained operational continuity, ensuring the ongoing safety and security of our community"