Tucson votes on hiring Richmond’s police chief

Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus, already the clear favorite to become chief of police in Tucson, Arizona, was all but guaranteed Monday he will be offered the job.

Tucson spokeswoman Lane Mandle said the Arizona city’s mayor and the city council will make the official selection in a vote scheduled Tuesday afternoon. Tucson City Manager Michael Ortega endorsed Magnus for the position on Monday.

Magnus was among three finalists left after officials whittled down the original pool of 60 contenders. A Tucson citizens advisory committee selected him as its top choice last month. Magnus then interviewed with the Tucson Police Officers Association, Tucson Police Department command and the city’s executive leadership team. Another finalist, Malik Aziz, Dallas Deputy Police Chief, dropped out of the race over the weekend.

If approved by Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and the City Council at Tuesday’s meeting, Magnus would replace Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor, who is scheduled to retire in December, after a 35-year career with the Tucson Police Department.

The Tucson City Council will also vote to approve Magnus’ salary. The meeting agenda, posted on the city’s website, lists the annual salary for police chief at $200,000, with an increase to $205,000 after a year of “successful performance”.

Magnus has been the police chief of Richmond since 2006 and is widely credited with lowering violent crime and improving police-community relations.

Magnus did not immediately return calls for comment on Monday.

Representatives from the Richmond Police Department say they are waiting to comment until they receive official confirmation and an announcement from Magnus himself.