A tear runs down the cheek of Asha Mohamed Tuesday night as she recounts the interactions she has had with the Lewiston Police Department during a special meeting with City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath. She lived in Lewiston for 20 years, but moved out after graduating from college because she felt targeted and harassed by police. Kaenrath called for a meeting with the general public for their input on hiring a new police chief. Mohamed is holding her son. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

LEWISTON — One woman said she would like area school children to be included in the search for a new Lewiston police chief.

Another offered that the city needs a chief that speaks clearly, honestly and often to the public when it comes to matters of crime and other problems.

Several others insisted that what Lewiston needs most is a police chief that has a full understanding of the problems that vex youth within the city.

As the Tuesday night meeting at City Hall progressed, an image began to form of the kind of person the public would like to see replace police Chief David St. Pierre, who announced his retirement three weeks ago.

As the city is in the process of forming an advisory committee on the matter, this kind of public input was just what they were after as they go shopping for a new police chief.

“This is a really important position for the city,” said City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath, himself new to the job. “This is a position we need to get right. Public safety is, for me and, I think for this council, our No. 1 priority.”

The city is looking within the Lewiston Police Department for a potential new chief but they have also advertised the position nationally. A short list, Kaenrath said, may be on hand as soon as early October.

But before that happens, the city needs to know what kind of chief they are after, and public opinions on that matter have varied.

Dottie Perham Whittier, recently retired from the city’s communication office, took the podium Tuesday night to stress what she feels is the most important concept for the incoming police chief.

“I hope that the new chief has a passion for community policing,” she said. “Building and sustaining lines of communication is incredibly important for mutual trust and respect. Community policing also goes a long way in encouraging individuals to say something when they see something.”

Asha Mohamed, cradling an infant son in her arms, said she would particularly like to see someone leading the department who has a sharp understanding of cultural differences. People of color and immigrants, she said, are made to feel like criminals whenever they have interactions with police.

When she gets pulled over for a traffic stop, Mohamed said, “I feel uncomfortable automatically just talking to police. My voice shakes and everything.”

Former city councilor Linda Scott, who had been critical of St. Pierre as a chief, said the police department head needs to be ready to address the public, “whether it’s at a church, with a homeless group, or at the mosque” when specific problems are causing alarm within the community.”

A lot of opinions were tossed around at the public meeting. Kaenrath promised the two dozen people who showed up that city leaders are taking notes on everything expressed as they continue the process of narrowing in on a chief candidate.

The idea, city leaders said, is to include community members as much as possible in the selection process.

“I am pleased,” said Mayor Carl Sheline, “that city administration is conducting a transparent and community driven hiring process for our new police chief.”