PASO ROBLES, Calif- The city of Paso Robles is looking for a police chief again. The city said they want to find the right person, the right fit, and that was Manny Guaderrama. So the second best just wasn't going to work, but a familiar face may apply this time.
"We found the right guy; the number two candidate wasn't the right guy so we aren't going to go to second best in this case," said City Manager Jim App. According to Armando Corella, who was part of the citizens group to find the chief, Guaderrama was ahead of the pack. "All 6 candidates were obviously competent but of all the candidates he's the one who seemed that would best partner with the officers on the street," said Corella.
So it's back to the drawing board, and interim Chief Robert Burton may put his application in the mix, he applied 9 months ago after the controversial step down of former police Chief Lisa Soloman, but decided it wasn't the right time and took back his application.
"I didn't feel at that time it was right for the community and the department and the city for me to be applying for the position, I wanted everyone to know that we needed to move on and get a fresh start," said Chief Robert Burton.
The city paid roughly 19-thousand for the search, and fortunately for the city, the search will be done again for free. "That fee covers this search and if this search is unsuccessful the next search and really covers us for a period of up to 2 years after a person is placed," said App.
That person could be the man who's been holding down the fort since last year. "I want to make sure that its right for the department, right for the city and right for the community, so I'm doing my own research to make sure people want to have me in the process as another option," said Burton.
The city said the search could take 6 months.
