Thirty-six people have applied to be Aurora’s new police chief, according to the corporate headhunting firm running the search.
Applicants include interim Police Chief Terry Jones, 51, and investigative division Chief Ken Murphy, 44.
The applicant number will be pared down based on the criteria developed by the city.
The position was vacated in March when then-Chief Ricky Bennett stepped down amid a widening controversy over the department’s handling of the Brent J. Brents case.
Several departmental snafus delayed the arrest of Brents, who went on to rape and attack at least 10 women and children in the Denver area.
Bennett became a captain in the department, and Deputy Chief Jones was appointed as interim chief.
Jones has been with Aurora for 26 years and was made deputy chief in 2002. Murphy has been with the department for 22 years and was made division chief also in 2002.
The chief position pays between $95,398 and $131,414 a year.
Bob Murray & Associates is the California corporate headhunting firm conducting the search.
Four to six finalists probably will be chosen by the end of August. Those applicants will be formally interviewed through September, with a new police chief expected to be chosen at the end of September, Deputy City Manager Frank Ragan said.
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
