Cary looks far and wide for new police chief

Cary leaders are on the hunt for a new police chief and have hired a firm that specializes in national searches to help them catch one.

Former Police Chief Ron Delelio retired from the police force over the summer, after having spent more than two years on injury leave.

Officials have said Delelio's fall down a flight of steps at the police station led to his wounds.

“We wish Ron well and we hope he heals from his injuries and we're moving forward, said Village Administrator Cameron Davis. “The search is a part of that.

Voorhees Associates, based in Deerfield, will interview village staffers to better understand the type of police chief required, develop a job announcement and recruitment brochure, advertise the position, develop a database of potential chiefs, contact candidates and set up a recruitment schedule.

Applications are due Oct. 15.

Cary hired Voorhees for $16,400, a fee that does not include advertising costs, travel and accommodations for the candidates the board eventually interviews.

Davis says it's a “very wise and prudent expenditure of funds as the existing staff does not have the time or the resources to run a national search, he said.

Hiring a firm also sends the message that the village is taking the search seriously, Davis said.

“The better question would be, ‘Can you afford not to do it,' Davis said. “This is a very important hire and we want to make sure the search is done right and that we get good, strong candidates.

Delelio, 48, joined the department in 1990 and was eligible for retirement July 10. As part of the agreement he signed with the village, Delelio was paid $121,976.49, a sum that included his salary, his remaining holiday time for the year and his unspent vacation time. The village also will continue paying into Delelio's retirement benefits that include pension contributions, the agreement stated. Delelio had applied for a disability pension, which he later withdrew, Davis said.

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Ed Fetzer declined to comment on whether he'll apply for the job.

Leaders hope to have a chief in place by the end of the year.