Metro’s Conner makes cut in Spokane

Cathy Scott

Wednesday, May 20, 1998 | 10:05 a.m.

Metro Police Deputy Chief Paul Conner is one of three candidates in line for a chief-of-police post in Spokane, Wash.

The list was narrowed this week from six candidates to three.

According to a city of Spokane spokesman, Conner, 50, is one of three finalists from an original pool of 26 to head the Spokane Police Department. A city spokesman said Monday that Conner is thought to be the best candidate of the three.

Spokane's city manager, accompanied by a team of about five people, will be coming to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks to interview people to learn more about Conner, a city spokesman said.

The team also will travel to Newport News, Va., and Orange County, Calif., to investigate the other finalists -- Alan Chertok, 45, police commander in Newport News, and John Robertson, 47, former chief of police in Orange, Calif.

"All I know is that I'm one of three people who made the final cut," Conner said.

He said a choice was expected to be made by the end of June.

The Spokane Police Department has 288 sworn police officers and 150 civilian employees. The department has a $30 million budget. Spokane has a population of 180,000. The police chief post pays $87,000 a year.

Terry Mangan, the current chief, retires July 20 to take a job with the FBI. The chief reports directly to the Spokane city manager, according to Dorothy Webster, assistant city manager.

Conner, a 26-year veteran with Metro, was appointed in 1990 as deputy chief under former Sheriff John Moran. Conner is one of six deputy chiefs at Metro.

Conner, whose wife is originally from Spokane, told the Sun in an earlier interview that he has always wanted to head a police force.