SCHERERVILLE | Local candidates for the job of Schererville police chief have some out-of-state competition, now that the application deadline has passed and police commissioners have taken a look at the resumes.

Only three of the 29 people who applied for the position already work for the Schererville Police Department, Police Commissioner Kevin Connelly said.

The Police Commission received applications from as far away as Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas and Kansas, he said.

The commission will meet in executive session this week to begin reviewing resumes and do an initial elimination of candidates. The interview process will take place in subsequent executive sessions, he said.

There is no statutory process for the selection of a police chief. The commission will use the regular process of interviewing and eliminating candidates, said Randy Wyllie, attorney for the Police Commission.

The state requires candidates to have at least five years of continuous police service and to live in Lake County or a contiguous county for the job.

Beyond that, Schererville's advertisement for the position listed 10 preferred traits, including a bachelor's degree or higher in criminal justice and the ability to present annual budget estimates and forecasts.

Wyllie said the Police Commission has not yet determined whether to recommend one candidate or several to the Town Council.

Although the commission is conducting the interviews, it serves as a recommending body. The Town Council will select the next chief.

The Town Council in August removed David Dowling as police chief and named former Schererville Police Chief Dan Smith as interim chief. Brian VanDenburgh is serving as interim deputy chief.

Schererville Patrolman Stephen Burton, president of Schererville FOP Lodge No. 170, said officers prefer that the town select the next chief from within the department.