ANTIOCH — Deeply wounded by a fraught past, Antioch residents are ready to move on as the city seeks a new police chief who can rebuild trust, ensure accountability, and embrace community policing.

Maria Cassandra Quinto-Collins, the mother of Angelo Quinto, who died days after an encounter with Antioch police in 2020, said her family has been impacted by the actions of law enforcement officers.

During a recent recruitment community meeting, she emphasized that the next police chief should have integrity and be empathetic, and not just toward his or her own officers, but also to the public.

“I am saying this as my family was impacted and the previous police chief, when the story about my son Angelo came, the first thing he said was we wanted to make money out of my son’s death, and that hurts,” said an emotional Quinto-Collins without specifying the name of the chief. “I don’t think I will ever forget what happened to my son, and I don’t want any family to go through what we went through … you know, it’s been almost five years, but (the pain will) never go away.”

To aid in the city’s search for a new leader for its police force, community engagement meetings have been organized by Bob Hall and Associates, a recruitment firm.

Currently, Capt. Joe Vigil serves as the city’s interim chief. He replaced Brian Addington, who recently re-retired.

Others attending a recent meeting emphasized the need for a chief who understands the gravity of Antioch’s history with its police department and is committed to real change.

Former Antioch police oversight commissioner Leslie May said she would like to see a leader who “speaks softly but carries a big stick,” who takes accountability seriously.

“I also want to see a leader who is very comfortable in working with people of all colors, cultures, and is aware of the different groups of people. We have a melting pot here,” said May.

She also hopes the next chief focuses on training school resource officers.

“I want to see a chief who is not a bully, but will ensure that he has all he needs for checks and balances to be put in place, and ensure the needs of residents are being met,” said May.

Many were concerned that past leadership swept issues under the rug, enabling police officers with misconduct complaints to continue serving the community without repercussions.

“They won’t be able to come in and hit the ground running, but there are a lot of stakeholders. We all are looking for that carpet … things that we want addressed. They probably won’t all be able to be addressed at once, but if this person has integrity, I will be OK with it,” said an unnamed resident.

Attendees also emphasized the importance of hiring a leader with experience in urban policing, someone who understands Antioch’s challenges, such as homelessness, crime, and ongoing racial tensions.

Some said they were frustrated to see the constant “dehumanization” of the unhoused population. They would like the next chief to approach the issue with dignity and respect.

Lead recruiter Joe Gorton said his team at Bob Hall and Associates will present feedback from stakeholders such as faith-based associations, businesses, police officers associations, and the three community forums to Antioch City Manager Bessie Marie Scott, who will ultimately make the hiring decision.

In January and February, the firm launched a nationwide recruitment for Antioch’s next chief and is now screening applications to select candidates closely aligned to the city’s desired qualifications.

An advertisement on the International Association of Chiefs of Police website states that the city is seeking someone who is “deeply committed to fostering community trust, engagement, and safety.”

According to the post, the applicant should be a seasoned leader with a proven track record of building relationships with diverse communities and “a champion of ethical policing,” prioritizing transparency, accountability, and fairness. The city also seeks someone who has extensive experience and has a forward-thinking approach to law enforcement, open communication, empathy, and understanding of the community’s unique needs and challenges.

The city is offering compensation, a benefits package, and a monthly salary ranging between $18,821 and $22,876.

Gorton said his team will conduct screening interviews and successful candidates will move to the formal selection process, where they will be interviewed by three panels sometime in April.

The panels include professionals, community members, and city staff. They will provide feedback to Scott on who they believe is the most qualified candidate. Scott will then interview the finalists and conduct an additional community assessment before a final decision is made.

“I expect that decision to be made sometime in April. Once the hiring is done, the job will be offered to the candidate and the city will conduct background investigations,” said Gorton, noting a new chief could come on board sometime in May.