COQUILLE— The choices have been narrowed down.

The city of Coquille has slimmed the field of possible candidates for chief of police to five.

All of the candidates, hailing from communities in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Michigan and Oregon, currently hold second-in-command positions in their departments and have not been a chief of police.

“These people are anxious to take the next step,” City Manager Terence O’Connor said.

So are the people of Coquille.

After going through an assessment process in which they will be evaluated on their ability to handle the pressures of a chief’s job, the candidates will stand before the citizens of Coquille. On July 21, the police chief hopefuls will meet the community for the first time from 5:30  to 7 p.m. at the Coquille Community Building, 115 N. Birch.

On July 22, a panel of seven city, county and school district officials as well as area residents will interview each candidate. The interviews are open to the public and will take place in the City Council Chambers at city hall.

Members of the public at the council’s meeting Monday wanted to be sure citizens would have a say in the hiring process.

“How much influence will the public actually have?,” Coquille resident Dian Courtright asked.

She also asked if the interviewing panel could be expanded. O’Connor said he thought keeping the panel at seven representatives was appropriate, but if concerns did arise during the interviews, citizens should tell one of the panelists.

“The process is designed to find the best match for the community and the best match for the city,” O’Connor said.

Courtright said she wanted everything done in the open, so people aren’t excluded from choosing their new top cop.

“I want to be assured the police department and new chief feel accountable to the citizens of Coquille,” Courtright said.

Staff Writer Jolene Guzman covers Coquille, Myrtle Point and veterans issues for The World. She can be reached by calling 269-1222, ext. 235; or by e-mailing to jguzman@theworldlink.com.