Fairfax officials are set to interview a police department veteran for the job of police chief, rather than seeking applicants for the role.
The Town Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to interview Rico Tabaranza, who was named interim chief in December. The council declined to launch a recruitment process for the job.
Tabaranza was hired in 2010 as a patrol officer for the Fairfax Police Department. He was promoted to detective and sergeant before he was named lieutenant in 2018. He was tapped as interim chief when Christopher Morin retired after 10 years as chief.
After Morin retired, the town opted to wait about three months before deciding whether to launch a recruitment process in order to gauge Tabaranza’s performance as interim chief, according to Town Manager Garrett Toy.
It would take between four and six months to hire a new chief if the town begins recruiting candidates, Toy said. An application process, which would involve hiring a recruiting firm, would cost the town an estimated $30,000, he said.
Without a permanent chief at the helm, the police department could soon face “operational issues,” Toy said. Since Tabaranza began as interim chief, the department has been down from 10 employees to nine and some of the staff is working overtime to make up for the shortage.
“Typically, I would absolutely say the most fair and just process would be to open this up (to applicants),” said Vice Mayor Stephanie Hellman.
But Hellman said she’s concerned about the interim chief working overtime while the department is down an employee. Hellman said the department also “has endured some morale issues, some instability, so I’m concerned about that.”
“I just can’t imagine anyone more committed and doing a better job than he does,” she said of Tabaranza, backing the plan to interview him for the role rather than seek applicants. “I just can’t see it.”
The council approved a plan to survey residents about what questions they would like the council to ask during the interview. The plan also calls for forming a community panel to interview Tabaranza separately. The panel is set to include two members of the town’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee, a member of the Volunteer Board, a business owner, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and two residents.
Mayor Bruce Ackerman said the purpose of holding the two interviews for Tabaranza “would be to enhance communication and understanding in town, which we deeply need.”
But some residents opposed the plan, urging the council to seek additional candidates.
“While hiring from within definitely has benefits,” Joe McGarry told the council, “if ever there was a moment in time for the town to move outside of its bubble and just take a look at what’s out there, it seems like now is the time.”
Jesse Lumb said it would be “worth the money” for the town to recruit applicants.
“Asking for an external search isn’t anti-Rico,” Lumb said. “It’s just pro-discussion.”
Patrece Bryan, an African American Fairfax resident who sits on the town’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee, urged the council to promote Tabaranza as chief. She said the town has “the best police force I’ve ever seen.”
“We always say, ‘Keep Fairfax Fairfax.’ How are we going to do that if we scrap the department we have now that we love?” Bryan said.
Michael Ardito also said he supported the hiring of Tabaranza.
“He’s qualified, experienced, has been a real professional,” Ardito said. “The police force does need stability, and I think it would be wise to save the money and time for going outside.”
Tabaranza’s annual salary is set at $162,436, representing a 15% pay increase while he is in the interim chief post.
