The search is on to find the ideal candidate to fill the position of chief of police at Vanderbilt University Police Department.

A committee was formed to interview applicants from all over the country shortly after the previous chief of police, Marlon Lynch, resigned on Feb. 1.

There are 10 members of the committee chaired by Jerry Fife, associate vice chancellor for business services and research finance. Fife said his goal is to have the next chief of police in place by June 1.

The committee interviewed five candidates in the first round and is narrowing them down to a finalist group. The next chief of police must be a sworn or commissioned officer.

According to Fife, one of the key qualities the committee is looking for is the ability to balance a variety of policing functions unique to a university in an urban environment.

"We're looking for a person who can balance dealing with the community, the Metro (Nashville Police Department), a medical center, a student population and balance all of those communities and different needs that each of them bring," Fife said. "It has to be a person who understands the university police department and will be sensitive to the needs of students. That's certainly a priority."

Vanderbilt Student Government President Wyatt Smith, the only student to serve on the committee, said that he wants to "emphasize the importance of community policing throughout this process."

"My top priority is that the new chief recognizes the uniqueness of policing a college campus as opposed to typical law enforcement and that he or she values keeping students safe rather than strictly enforcing ordinances or codes," Smith said.

Another key feature of the position requires contact and cooperation with the Metro Nashville Police Department. Vanderbilt is located within the Nashville Police Department's West Precinct. VUPD officers have special commissions from the Metro Nasvhille Police Department and officers abide by a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets out the roles, responsibilities and areas of coverage for each department.

"There is a meeting each week in which officers from both departments go over significant crimes or issues within the West Precinct," said Don Aaron, the public affairs manager of the Metro Nashville Police Department. "I think the choice of the next chief is important to the extent that Vanderbilt police officers are empowered through the Metro Police Department and we enjoy a very good working relationship with Vanderbilt officers."

Ultimately the decision will be made by members of the committee including representatives from academics, athletics, environmental management, human resources, the medical center and a variety of areas under the administration.

"These are people who have a lot of dealings with the police chief. We wanted to have representation from students, the dean of students and other areas that deal one way or another with the chief," Fife said.

"We're moving along with the process and we're anxious to get an excellent candidate in place and functioning as soon as possible," Fife said.