Search for new police chief likely to wait until new city manager

The search for a new Sidney police chief will likely wait until spring, after a city manager is hired.

Both positions became vacant in recent months after Gary Person stepped down as city manager in August, followed by B.J. Wilkinson as police chief in October.

Assistant chief Joe Aikens is now the ranking officer in charge, said Jo Houser, the city's human resources director.

"Right now, the plan, because it seems to be working, is to wait until a city manager is hired," she explained.

An executive recruitment firm has been hired to help find a new city manager. At a council meeting in Novemb...