Cmdr. Tom Ryff tackled tough questions from community members Wednesday, defending his candidacy for a position as assistant chief of police -- Support Services Division.
Ryff plans to fill the position made available last month by Kevin Kotsur, who left the Tempe Police Department to take a position as chief of police in Avondale, said Dan Masters, a spokesman for the Tempe department.
Before the community forum, an employee forum was held where Ryff answered questions from his associates.
Lawrence LaVictoire, senior human resources analyst for Tempe, coordinated the forum.
LaVictoire explained that once feedback is given, Ryff would most likely have a final interview with Tempe Chief of Police Ralph Tranter.
"This position sets the direction for the entire department," Tranter said. "I'm very concerned about our level of citizen satisfaction."
Community members questioned Ryff on various topics, including gender and ethnic diversity within the department and the planning of special community events.
Steve Stewart, a 15-year Tempe resident and president of Date Palm Community Associates, asked Ryff what his top three priorities were.
"Neighborhoods, neighborhoods, neighborhoods," said Ryff, who addressed points of property value, drugs and roof rats as a few concerns.
Ryff also said that ASU's student housing expansions would affect Tempe and the police department greatly.
Ryff, 44, currently serves as a commander in the Patrol Administration Bureau. He has been with the Tempe Police Department for nearly 25 years.
Ryff explained that Tempe has been his home for nearly 40 years.
"I deal with the same issues you do," Ryff said.
Support Services, the division for which Ryff is applying, provides operations support for the jail and detention facilities, the identification bureau, a property and evidence facility, volunteer program, dispatch, 911 and records, Masters said.
The division also supports personnel services, which includes hiring, recruiting, firearms, internal training and internal affairs.
There are three assistant chief positions in the Tempe Police Department. The other two are in the patrol division and the investigations division.
Reach this reporter at timothy.taylor@asu.edu.
