The search for a new Silverthorne police chief has narrowed to four finalists, according to Town Manager Ryan Hyland.

After longtime Police Chief John Minor retired from the position in June, the town has conducted a search for his replacement that has included candidates from both inside the Silverthorne Police Department and outside of it.

“It’s been quite a few years since we have hired a police chief,” Hyland said. “We’ve had a very stable director team here, so anytime you’re hiring into a director position it’s critical. And, obviously in the world we live in today, police chief is a very important position.”

The four finalists — Alice Cary, Rachel Dunaway, Jeffrey Lofton and Ely Reyes — each have expansive backgrounds in law enforcement and related fields, according to a news release from the town that includes a brief biography of each candidate.

Depending on qualifications, the hiring range for the police chief position is between $142,000 and $190,000, according to a job description for the position. The future police chief will be expected to help stabilize staffing at the police department, plan the construction of a new police station and develop strategic partnerships with neighboring law enforcement agencies, the job description states.

Dunaway is the lone finalist from within the Silverthorne Police Department. While Dunaway is typically the assistant chief of police for the department, she is currently serving as interim police chief, according to the release. Prior to joining the Silverthorne force, she served as a patrol senior sergeant at the Summit County Sheriff’s Office from 2003 to 2016. 

Dunaway holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science.

“Presently I am in an executive leadership role working to promote a team environment in a culture of transparency, working alongside community stakeholders to reduce crime in my community,” Dunaway said in the release. “I strongly believe my training, education and law enforcement experience make me uniquely qualified for the position of chief of police.”

Cary is currently the executive director/chief of police at the University of Illinois Department of Public Safety, according to the news release. Prior to that, she was the police chief at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, from 2018 to 2020.

Cary holds a master’s degree in criminal justice management and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and is a graduate of the Northwestern Public Safety Staff and Command School.

“I am excited about the opportunity to help ensure the safety for the Town of Silverthorne remains top priority, and continue the progress made in shaping the Silverthorne Police Department to be as innovative as the community it serves,” Cary said in the release.

Lofton is currently the chief of police at the Clever Missouri Police Department, according to the news release. He previously served as patrol division commander captain at the Christian County Missouri Sheriff’s Office from 2017 to 2019.

Lofton holds a master’s degree in criminal justice/sociology, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and an associate of arts degree in general studies.

“I move forward with the responsibility, accountability, and professional mindset while providing the 212th degree to the incident, event or situation presented in order to come up with the best possible solution,” Lofton said in the release.

Reyes is currently the chief of police at the Cedar Hill Police Department in Texas, according to the news release. He previously served as assistant chief of police at the Austin Police Department in Texas from 2016 to 2019.

Reyes holds a master’s degree in management and a bachelor’s degree in public administration.

“I believe my 30 years of public service, leadership and experience as a police chief will be very valuable to your town and police department,” Reyes said in the release.

Last week, the town of Silverthorne hosted the four finalists for a lunch with town employees, Hyland said, where employees heard a quick overview from each candidate and were able to provide written feedback. 

The candidates were then given a brief tour of town during which Hyland said he and the assistant town manager discussed issues from housing to childcare with the potential police chiefs.

A town hall event to introduce the finalists to the public was also held last Thursday night at the Silverthorne Pavilion, Hyland said, where residents were able to hear about each candidate and were able to provide feedback to the town.

While Hyland did not have an exact date for when a new police chief would be announced, he said he hopes to fill the position soon.

“Sooner is better for the candidates and for our organization,” Hyland said. “In the coming weeks, we’re interested in having that decision made.”