FORT PIERCE – Fort Pierce City Manager Richard Chess told city commissioners Monday night he will meet with Human Resources Manager Jared Sorensen this week to begin scheduling interviews with leading prospects to become the city’s next police chief.

Chess had announced earlier that Fort Pierce received 57 applications for the job of top cop. He did not indicate Monday night how many applicants he expects to interview or whether he plans more than one round of candidate sit-downs.

The process apparently is running slightly behind the original plan. Chess earlier had indicated he hoped to do preliminary interviews Oct. 23-24.

The city has not responded to Hometown News’ inquiries about the make-up of the candidate field, including where applicants are from and how many internal candidates applied for the job.

However, it’s known that at least one current member of the Fort Pierce Police Department’s command staff threw his hat into the ring. The Fort Pierce Police Officers Union and the Sergeant and Lieutenants Union both recently announced their hiring endorsements of Acting Deputy Chief Caleb Gillette.

Gillette joined the department as a patrol officer in 2001, and has spent his entire career with the FPPD, rising through the ranks, serving as a sergeant, lieutenant, SWAT commander and acting deputy chief.

Deputy Chief Robert Ridle has served as interim chief since the resignation of former Chief Diane Hobley-Burney in May. She left under fire after 10 years as Fort Pierce’s top cop following department employees issuing a statement of “lost confidence” in her leadership.

Ridle had said he would not apply for the permanent job, citing his plan to retire in 2026.

The city hired S. Renee Narlock & Associates, a Tallahassee executive recruiting firm, to assist with the chief search.

The city had advertised a starting salary range of $128,250-$212,000 for the next police chief.

Under the City Charter, the city manager hires the police chief with the advisement of the city commission. The chief reports to the city manager.